Regeneration and deprivation

Managing the world’s oceans

Why are the oceans so valuable to humanity, and how does our activity threaten the marine environment? This article looks at the oceans as a resource, the challenges involved and the governance arrangements in place to manage this global commons

Clive Schofield and Noel Castree

For a quiz on this topic go to: www.hoddereducation.co.uk/geographyreviewextras

We live on a watery planet, most of which is saline. Ninety-eight per cent of the world’s water is sea water. The words ‘ocean’ and ‘sea’ are often used interchangeably, though strictly a sea is an area of ocean partially enclosed by landHumans use the oceans and seas in a wide range of ways, because marine environments are chock-full of resources. But these resources are not being well managed at present, and good management is difficult.