Human impact on the oceans: The 1990s and beyond

Abstract

This article traces the effects of human activities on the sea. It looks first at the damage done to natural populations of marine animals by excessive hunting and fishing. It then documents the impacts from a wide range of contaminating inputs, including discharges from the land, atmospheric deposition and accidents. It highlights the loss of coastal habitats arising from shoreline construction related to industry, tourism and aquaculture. Against this background it assesses the current state of the marine environment and looks at the problems ahead.