ABSTRACT
The ocean is an interconnected global ecosystem supporting a wide range of uses. The ocean supports a growing range and level of commercial and other activities. Companies dependent on the ocean will benefit from collaboration with others in the ocean business community to address marine environmental issues. Coastal resources cannot be used by any interest group as their exclusive right. The sea cannot be regarded as a common basin for effluent disposal. Almost all coastal and marine areas produce or support multiple products and services. Sectoral solutions usually ‘transfer’ the problem between resources, products and services. Tourism will not flourish if the area loses its attractions to visitors; and fisheries are usually on the receiving end of everyone else’s problems. The world’s oceans are increasingly under pressure from rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing, biodiversity loss, habitat loss and pollution. Managing the multiple uses of the ocean is therefore vital.
