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2 - Main human uses of ocean areas and resources, impacts, and multiple scales of governance

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2015

By
Marjo Vierros ,
U. Rashid Sumaila  and
Rolph A. Payet
Edited by
Salvatore Aricò
Marjo Vierros
Affiliation:
United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies
U. Rashid Sumaila
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
Rolph A. Payet
Affiliation:
University of Seychelles
Salvatore Aricò
Affiliation:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), France
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Summary

2.1 Introduction

The global ocean provides humankind with vital ecosystem goods and services that include the regulation of the Earth's climate, as well as provision of food and other goods, recreation, and spiritual values. The ocean is not only important for the Earth' s economy, but also its environmental balance and survival (Noone et al., 2013).

Human uses of the ocean include fishing (food), shipping, scientific research, the use of genetic resources, mining, underwater cables, energy, water, and recreation. While all those involved in these uses can be considered as ocean stakeholders, the concept of stakeholder is broader than just direct use. Stakeholders can include groups affected by management decisions; groups concerned by management decisions; groups dependent on the resources to be managed; groups with claims over the area of resources; groups with activities that impact on the area or resources; and groups with, for example, special seasonal or geographic interests (Vierros et al., 2006). Ultimately, however, the entire population of the Earth depends in one way or another on the ocean for their survival, due to the climate regulating and oxygen providing services of these areas, and can thus be considered to be stakeholders.

Preserving and maintaining the services provided by the ocean will require integrated, ecosystem-based management approaches and governance structures at both global and local levels, which will take into account both direct human uses and conservation needs, as well as global benefits. Many habitats and species in the ocean are highly threatened by human activities, and the current governance regime is not sufficient and in many cases too fragmented to provide for effective management and protection of multiple and emerging threats

2.2 Value and use of ocean areas, and environmental impacts of use

The goods and services provided by the ocean range from climate regulation to food, and recreational and spiritual value. For example, an analysis undertaken by The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project, found the value of coral reefs to humankind to be between US$130,000 and $1.2 million per hectare, per year (Diversitas, 2009).

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Ocean Sustainability in the 21st Century , pp. 21 - 53
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2015

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