Healthy oceans are vital to the health of the whole earth.
Consequently one of the main objectives of the 1998 Year of the Ocean will be to focus public attention on the many threats that our oceans are facing from pollution, population pressure, excessive fisheries, coastal zone degradation and climate variability. Numerous conferences, seminars, training and research cruises and many other activities are being planned throughout the world, all with the common purpose of creating greater awareness and firmer commitment to the cause of restoring health to our oceans, sustainable and respectful harvesting of marine life and giving also urgent priority to repairing and beautifying all coastal areas. To further the implementation of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment Against Land-based Activities a global evaluation of the state of the marine environment is being done by leading experts on marine pollution. Sponsored by Canada, this Charter, which is not binding but a statement of principle and a declaration of intent, will be reproduced and distributed to embassies throughout the world and signed by national dignitaries on behalf of their country at a public event during 1998. An individual version of the Charter will also be available as a means of bringing together the political and public commitment to the future of the ocean and the marine and coastal environment.