Developing and implementing an Ecosystem approach to Ocean-related activities

In recent years the international community has increasingly recognized the need to manage human activities that have an effect on the marine environment and its ecosystems in an integrated and cross-sectoral manner in order to promote the sustainable development of oceans and seas and their resources. The 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development has encouraged the application of the ecosystem approach by 2010. The General Assembly of the United Nations has also emphasized the importance of applying ail ecosystem approach to the management of ocean-related activities, including by integrating ecosystem approaches into fisheries conservation and management.