Unless this happens disasters, human health problems, coastal zone destruction and a widening worldwide disparity of marine produce will increase, in the long term unavoidably affecting both the rich and poor parts of the world. Capacity-building must aim to create adequate institutions and new kinds of human resources, both with an intersectoral base. There is also a need to create a category of operational oceanographers dedicated to providing observations and forecasting as services. And it may be desirable to focus such capacity-building at the regional level so as to pool resources. Sectoral divides The use of the ocean and coastal areas is primarily a question of managing various sectoral interests as well as the actions of human society.
Marine pollution provides an illustrative example.
Pollution from ships has been significantly reduced through international agreements and pressure from the shipping sector itself, including through the International Maritime Organization. Dumping at sea has also been reasonably well managed in similar ways, but the requirements for reception facilities for waste from ships have often not been met. The major sources of marine pollution, however, are based on land and are directly connected to human activities which must be properly managed. We have not solved this problem and the effect of the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities cannot yet be judged. Political will is essential.