addressing these and other problems in a fairly comprehensive way oceanography
and ocean observations are providing many services and opportunities to society.
However, oceanography is still fragmented and not acknowledged in society or
Governments in the same way as hydrology and meteorology, and achieving
sustained ocean observations are facing problems. Some ideas on reasons for this
situation and the relatively weak visibility and status of oceanography in Governments and social perception in general are discussed.
Keywords Ocean • Marine research-resources-environment • International
cooperation • Security • Climate and global change • Sustainable development •
Incentives • Governance
Acronyms
DOALOS Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, of the UN
IAPO
International Association of Physical Oceanography (now IAPSO)
ICES
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICSU
International Council of Scientific Unions (now ICS)
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
IDOE
International Decade of Ocean Exploration
IOI
International Ocean Institute
IUBS
International Union on Biological Sciences
IUGG
International Union on Geology and Geophysics
SCOR
Scientific Committee on Oceanographic Oceanic Research
UNCED
UN Conference on Environment and Development
32.1 Introduction: The Role of the Ocean
Covering 71% of the Earth, the ocean is a vital source of nourishment, supporting
directly the livelihood of about 500 million people, especially in the poorest
nations, and indirectly the global population. Food from the ocean is vital to
human health and brain development. Recent economic assessments assign to the
Gross Marine Product an annual value of about 2.5 trillion USD, of the order 3–5%
of global GDP, not including much of the coastal areas. Mann Borgese (1998)
arrived at a higher value of about 7–8 trillion including services as transport, food,
energy, deep sea cabling, tourism, recreation. Marine and coastal resources and
industries represent over 5% of global GDP. For many nations the ocean-related
economic activities such as tourism and artisanal fisheries are major contributors to
the national economy and development, supporting up to 30% of the national
economy. Over 90% of the world trade is carried by the sea, currently at a value
of about 13 trillion USD, having increased from about 7 trillion in early 1990s.
Ocean economies are among the most rapidly growing in the world, providing
530
G. Kullenberg
and ocean observations are providing many services and opportunities to society.
However, oceanography is still fragmented and not acknowledged in society or
Governments in the same way as hydrology and meteorology, and achieving
sustained ocean observations are facing problems. Some ideas on reasons for this
situation and the relatively weak visibility and status of oceanography in Governments and social perception in general are discussed.
Keywords Ocean • Marine research-resources-environment • International
cooperation • Security • Climate and global change • Sustainable development •
Incentives • Governance
Acronyms
DOALOS Division of Ocean Affairs and Law of the Sea, of the UN
IAPO
International Association of Physical Oceanography (now IAPSO)
ICES
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
ICSU
International Council of Scientific Unions (now ICS)
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
IDOE
International Decade of Ocean Exploration
IOI
International Ocean Institute
IUBS
International Union on Biological Sciences
IUGG
International Union on Geology and Geophysics
SCOR
Scientific Committee on Oceanographic Oceanic Research
UNCED
UN Conference on Environment and Development
32.1 Introduction: The Role of the Ocean
Covering 71% of the Earth, the ocean is a vital source of nourishment, supporting
directly the livelihood of about 500 million people, especially in the poorest
nations, and indirectly the global population. Food from the ocean is vital to
human health and brain development. Recent economic assessments assign to the
Gross Marine Product an annual value of about 2.5 trillion USD, of the order 3–5%
of global GDP, not including much of the coastal areas. Mann Borgese (1998)
arrived at a higher value of about 7–8 trillion including services as transport, food,
energy, deep sea cabling, tourism, recreation. Marine and coastal resources and
industries represent over 5% of global GDP. For many nations the ocean-related
economic activities such as tourism and artisanal fisheries are major contributors to
the national economy and development, supporting up to 30% of the national
economy. Over 90% of the world trade is carried by the sea, currently at a value
of about 13 trillion USD, having increased from about 7 trillion in early 1990s.
Ocean economies are among the most rapidly growing in the world, providing
530
G. Kullenberg