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Coral reefs are the most structurally complex and taxonomically diverse marine ecosystems on earth, providing ecosystem goods and services for millions of people worldwide. These reefs are seriously threatened by a variety of anthropogenic threats, particularly overexploitation of marine resources, destructive fishing practices and runoff from poor land use practices. Over half of the world's reefs have already been lost or are under threat from these activities, with serious and widespread declines in reef health reported from around the world. Climate change also represents a new and increasing threat to coral reefs and associated ecosystems. Major threats include rising sea temperatures, rising sea levels and changes in ocean chemistry. Urgent action is now required to halt or reverse these threats and declines in coral reef health. One approach to the protection of reefs during this period of change is to manage for resilience.

Mauka (toward the mountains) and makai (toward the ocean) are not just directional references; they embody our fundamental natural and cultural resources, land and ocean. Hawaiians believe there is a balance between ocean and land. In traditional times, the ocean and its marine life were as well known as the life attributes of the upland areas. This intimate relationship with nature resonates today in the modern principle of sustainability. We continue a strong interconnected, interrelated and interdependent relationship with our natural and cultural resources. Some call it ecosystem-based stewardship.

Major contractors of marine recreation services, including tour operators, hotels and cruise lines, are increasingly showing a preference for providers that adopt environmental good practices. Thus, for marine recreation providers – from dive operations to boat rentals to wildlife viewing tours – improving environmental performance can not only contribute to marine conservation and the economic development of coastal communities, it can also improve business, by increasing their attractiveness to companies seeking responsible suppliers.

The Locally-Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network is a cooperative program of sites and practitioners in countries of the South Pacific and Southeast Asia. The LMMA Network is collectively trying to determine the conditions under which a LMMA is successful and why. Each site team uses a LMMA strategy in an attempt to reach their goal; this will often be a learning process, requiring an adaptive approach. The site collects data on their measures of success (target or response variables) and on factors that may affect success. The data are maintained and analyzed, then summarized in reports on lessons learned to the Country and Network levels.