Land-Sea Interactions and the Ecosystem Approach in Ocean Planning and Governance

Abstract

When contemplating planning and governance of human development it is perhaps typical to focus attention on the land. However, as this volume demonstrates it is also important to remember that the sea covers more than two thirds of our planet’s surface and provides a wide range of essential goods and services upon which humans, and ultimately all life on Earth, depend. Indeed, land-sea interactions (LSI) have been significant in shaping patterns of human activity on both land and sea since ancient times. For example, humans have always looked to the sea for food, transport and trade, waste disposal and cultural and spiritual fulfilment, and coastal areas have been favoured places for human settlement. Today 16 of the world’s 23 mega cities (with populations exceeding 10 million) are in coastal locations1 and with the prospect of the global population rising from 7.6 billion in 2017 to over 11 billion by 21002 ongoing urbanisation of coastal areas can be anticipated. Beyond general trends of globalisation and the importance of international connectivity, one of the factors driving contemporary coastal and marine development is that the sea is increasingly being seen as a source of new ‘Blue Growth’ opportunities. Established maritime sectors, such as shipping and offshore oil and gas production, are now frequently accompanied by a range of other offshore uses, such as aquaculture and wind power developments. Technological advances are also opening new business possibilities in sectors such as blue biotechnology, ocean renewable energy and marine mineral extraction3. Alongside these very tangible human interactions with the marine environment, modern science is revealing the reality of less tangible, but in many ways more profound dependencies on the sea, including the vital role it plays in climate regulation and carbon capture. Equally, it is enhancing our understanding of the intricate web of connections between human activity - both land and sea based - and the health of the marine environment.