The Marine Environment: The Importance Of The Marine Environment

The marine environment encompasses the sea and estuaries waters, the seabed and its subsoils, all marine wildlife, sea and coastal habitats. Given the importance of the marine environment to the ecosystem, it must be protected, conserved and properly valued. Seas and oceans must be kept biologically diverse and dynamic as well as safe, healthy and productive. The marine environment is a vital resource for life on earth. The marine ecosystem plays numerous fundamental environmental functions: regulation of the climate; prevention of erosion; solar energy’s accumulation and distribution; carbon dioxide absorption; and maintenance of biological control. The marine environment is the greatest source of biodiversity covering 71 percent of the Earth’s surface and containing 90% of the biosphere. Furthermore, it is a great contributor to economic prosperity, social well-being and quality of life. Given its economic and social potential, sustainable exploitation of the marine environment is critical for South East Asian countries.

Asia accounts for sixty percent of the world’s fish production with the developing countries in the continent accounting for 75% of the production. Furthermore, Asia accounts for 34% of the world’s exports of fish and a staggering 87 percent of all fishery and aquaculture employees. Producing five million tons of fish products every year, members of the Association of Southeast Asian countries account for a quarter of the annual world production. Asia has the highest fish consumption in the world and there is high likelihood that fisheries and aquaculture will continue playing critical role in providing livelihood, trade and food security in the Southeast Asian region. The global demand for fish and its product...

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...ermission to use e-learning materials in the library to undertake the research. The research group will benefit from experts know-how; the experts must be acknowledged for volunteering to provide the information. The research covers numerous countries and communities living in coastal areas which may raise ethical and legal issues. The countries have diverse laws governing marine resources which present a challenge in the research. The cultural diversity of the population makes interaction to gain information hard. The research group will have to read and understand the various laws on marine resources by different countries to reduce instances of contravening the laws. The group will seek permission from the respective countries’ diplomats. A cross cultural training will enable the group members interact more easily with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.