ABSTRACT
The oceans have immense significance for humankind’s social and economic well-being. It has been estimated that the oceans provide goods and services worth US$20.9 trillion, or 63 per cent of that provided by all the world’s ecosystems (Costanza et al, 1997). Commercial and small-scale fisheries probably give direct employment to some 200 million people (McGinn, 1998) and perhaps as many as 500 million people draw their livelihoods indirectly from the sea (Weber, 1994): processors, packers, shippers and distributors of seafood; shipbuilders and outfitters; those working in marine-based tourism; and the recreational fishing industry amongst others. Inevitably, protection of marine biodiversity and sustainable management of marine resources will only be successful if human needs are taken into account. Over the last decade, this has been increasingly recognized particularly in relation to the management of tropical fisheries and other inshore resources (see Christie and White, 1997; White et al, 1994)
