[Alcoholocaust]

This collection of articles focusses on SDG 14 (life below water). Every coastal State, including several members of G20, face threats to marine ecosystems and the environment as complex societal, economic and governance challenges. Ocean management involves multi-disciplinary science and complex issues of policy design, while implementation demands consultative decision making and long term capacity development. In order to achieve sustainable development and conservation goals, we must improve the integration of science into marine policy, whilst achieving social and economic inclusivity and diversity. From coastal systems where human activities are layered in ocean space, to remote oceanic systems, management faces complex challenges in identifying and quantifying trade-offs between conservation and sectoral interests. more

[virtualcoin]

In this special collection, we have selected articles published in Elsevier’s peer-reviewed journals that showcase the current issues of marine environment and policies. Topics that are covered include marine pollution, climate change impact on ocean, UN Sustainable Development Goals, coastal management, fisheries management and high seas governance, with several articles dedicated to highlighting the latest scientific developments on these issues from Japan. The articles were selected in consultation with ocean experts of the Nippon Foundation Nereus Program, an interdisciplinary global research network.

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[wirher]

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[krs]

Researchers often break the marine biome into five distinct zones, primarily corresponding to ocean depth. The boundaries are often somewhat fluid and are usually more estimations than fixed points, and there is some crossover when it comes to the life, climate, and habitat of each, particularly around the edges. The animals and plants that live in different parts and particularly different depths of the ocean can be pretty varied, though, which does make zoning distinctions useful in certain contexts.

[DjeZAeL]

Marine currents affect all the coastal areas and the winds usually match the water temperature. Since water does not heat up or cool down very quickly, there are only small changes in the biome but, over time, these can and often do lead to big shifts when it comes to the sustainability of certain species or groups of plants and animals. Everything in the ocean is usually connected, be it through a food chain or some symbiotic relationships. Changes in one place are often felt in many others. The changes may be small at first, but often build cumulatively over months and years.

[mnem0sys]

The first zone when coming from the shore is usually the intertidal zone, which is where the ocean meets the land; these waters are the shallowest and usually also the warmest, and are where most coral reefs are found. Many of these regions are profoundly impacted by the pull of the tides, and smaller creatures are often shifted from place to place very regularly. Next is the pelagic zone, which is often also known simply as the “open ocean.” This is deeper water where bigger fish and sea mammals like whales and dolphins live. Ocean currents bring a mix of colder and warmer waters, which helps sustain these and other creatures.

[doublec]

Things are darker and colder in the benthic zone, which is deeper ocean that doesn’t get much sunlight. Small shellfish, worms, sea stars, and various algae grow near the sea floor in this region, and some fish also make their home here. The darkest and deepest part of the biome is the abyssal zone, which is on or near the core tectonic plates of the earth; the water here is usually very cold and completely cut off from light. Fungi, spores, and bacteria are usually the most plentiful life forms.

[endian]

Invasive species are a threat to our marine environment. It is not always easy to monitor or prevent the introduction of unwanted marine organisms. Visiting ships may introduce them accidentally on their hulls, in ballast water or on equipment. They can also arrive ‘naturally’, eg Myrtle rust was blown over the sea from Australia. more

[BlackEye]

Dredging can harm marine ecosystems and remove habitat for marine organisms. Image: Sustainable Seas Challenge.

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[Escrow agent]

The marine environment is affected by humans through: here

[joshuaissac]

In New Zealand, fisheries are managed by a quota system that sets catch limits for commercially important species and aims at sustainable management of our fish stocks. Our fisheries are managed by MPI, the Ministry for Primary Industries. more

[Diane06]

It is not only our activities in marine areas that affect life in the sea, but also the things we do on land. Image: LEARNZ.

here

[Ground Loop]

A mangrove is a shrub or a small tree growing in salt and brackish coastal waters. The concept also applies more

[boombox]

Green tortoise is one of the largest and only herbivore marine tortoises among the various groups. In reality, it is more

[inertia]

There are no natural predators known to the great white shark other than killer whales on infrequent occasions. It is here

[DSuttonsls]

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from space and is the world’s largest unique structure built by living organisms. more