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A report on the proper management of mangroves for resilience to climate change

Volume III on the State of the Worlds Marine Turtles

Volume I on the State of the Worlds Marine Turtles

Volume II on the State of the Worlds Marine Turtles

ESTABLIHMENT OF A CORAL REEF MONITORING PROGRAM IN KURIA, ABEMAMA AND TARAWA, GILBERT GROUP, REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI, MAY 7TH- 23RD 2004

Toothpaste, poke, puka shell necklaces, medicine and rain are just some of the things that come from the ocean. In many ways--more than we know--we are connected to the ocean. Without it, we could not survive. And guess what? the ocean depends on us too! Everything we do, including watering the grass, throwing away rubbish and snorkeling, has a huge effect on the sea and the creatures who live there.

Coastal and marine ecosystems are amongst the most productive ecosystems in the world and provide many services to human society; however, many of these ecosystems have become degraded. Food provisioning in the form of fisheries catch is one of the most important services derived from coastal and marine ecosystems. With more than a billion people relying on fish as their main or sole source of animal protein, fisheries in developing countries are a particularly important source of protein. Fisheries and fish products provide direct employment to 38 million people, with a further 162 million people indirectly involved in the fisheries industry (FAO 2004). The state of industrial fisheries is of concern as many people depend on their existence for food and employment, with many fisheries being overexploited. Aquaculture is the fastest growing food producing sector, accounting for 30% of total fish consumption.