Troubled waters : ocean science and governance

This volume has been compiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, which for half a century has been the UN organization responsible for fostering intergovernmental cooperation on global ocean science. It draws on the experience of 30 international experts to look at how governments use science to establish ocean policies, with chapters ranging from the history of ocean management to current advances in marine science, observation and management applications, and the international agencies that coordinate this work. With a focus on key topical issues such as marine pollution, exploitation and hazards, this publication reflects on past successes and failures in ocean management and emphasizes the need for knowledge and effective government action to direct decisions that will ensure a sustainable future for this precious resource.