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Man poses two direct threats : overexploitation and pollution. Through over- 

 fishing some species, such as the Blue Whale, the largest animal ever to exist 

 on the Earth, have been virtually exterminated. Pollution in the form of oil 

 spills, pesticides, radioactive material and other toxic substances, is increasing 

 rapidly. 



Man's impact on the marine environment also occurs through the simplifica- 

 tion of a complex ecosystem through arbitrary selection in species and fish 

 population. The elimination of competing predators to increase production from 

 a fishery or the elimination of an anadromous fish environment in order to extend 

 irrigation agriculture, can he guaranteed to produce adverse environmental 

 consequences. 



Existing institutions have not yet been able to prevent pollution or overfishing. 

 A few efforts, now under way, show some small signs of success in handling parts 

 of the problem but new and innovative efforts are urgently required. The urgency 

 stems from the fact that the time scale within which we must respond may be 

 measured in years, not decades. 



Additionally, the growing pressures upon the resources of the sea will make 

 the solution of these problems even more difficult. 



Oceans, atmosphere and land are interdependent : a disturbance in one is 

 quickly reflected in the others. A particularly critical area is the coastal zone, 

 where the land meets the sea — and much of the seafood used by man depends 

 directly or indirectly upon this zone. Exploitation and pollution in the estuaries 

 and continental shelf area thus pose significant threats to the health of a great 

 portion of the world fishery. 



A decline in the productivity of the oceans, combined with rising population 

 levels, would cause serious problems for any nation. To the underdeveloped coun- 

 tries, this represents imminent disaster. 



In the past the developed countries, owing to their advanced technology, have 

 taken the greater share of marine resources without proper measures to induce 

 rational utilization. If this trend continues the developing nations will never 

 receive their etiual share of this finite resource. The present catch from the world's 

 oceans might, under ideal conditions be increased by a factor of 50% to 200%. 

 Increasing pollution of the oceans however must and will decrease their pro- 

 ductivity, and the nevitable losses will be suifered by those who can least afford 

 them. 



Some believe, almost as an article of faith, that when the problems of the oceans 

 become sufficiently acute, technology will somehow produce a miraculous cure. 

 The history of the deteriorating aquatic environment does not support thisi faith. 

 Until better evidence is available that irreversible changes are not taking place, 

 reason demands that we proceed more carefully, with greater concern for the 

 health of the seas. Mankind cannot assume the risk of precipitating irreversible 

 changes. 



THE POTENTIAL THREAT 



Without positive protection of the oceans, we can anticipate with varying 

 degrees of certainty and severity : 



Diminution or destruction of coastal and oceanic fishery resources through 

 physical, chemical and/or biological disturbances in the ecosystem. 



Inadvertent modification of weather and climate, inadequately monitored 

 by existing or planned weather systems, in time producing major adverse 

 Changes in ecosysitems. 



Disturbance of the diversity, stability and productivity of the oceans. 

 Accelerating reduction in the recreational value of the oceans. 



THE PROPOSALS 



1. We recognize the need for the consen-ation and rational use of the ocean 

 environment consonant with the foregoing discussion, organized to assure the pro- 

 tection and rational use of the oceans for the benefit of all nations, particularly 

 the undeveloped nations. 



2. To work toward this goal, we urge governments jointly to strengthen 

 existing international organizations concerned with the ocean-atmosphere environ- 

 ment and we stress the value and importance of non-governmental public service 

 groups to support this concern. 



