Accounting for marine economic activities in large marine ecosystems

Abstract

We develop an index that is a measure of the intensity of marine activities in large marine ecosystems (LMEs). We compare this marine activity index with an index of socioeconomic development across ocean regions. This comparison identifies regions that may be capable of achieving the sustainable development of their regional marine environment on their own and those that are less likely to do so. The latter may be candidates for international financial or management assistance. An important next step is to carry out detailed case studies designed to improve our understanding of any specific ocean region.