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   Fisheries
   Aquaculture

Many problems concerning global marine capture fisheries can be traced to economic incentives to overfish and invest in excess capacity. A desperate "race to fish" often results. This contributes to catches above sustainable levels, adoption of destructive fishing gear, bykill of nontargeted species, and surprisingly little economic return.

Alternative approaches such as aquaculture, viewed by some as having a lower impact on local ecosystems can also be very destructive. Current practices lead to extensive lost of mangroves resulting in beach erosion. Invasive species are introduced to all ready delicate ecosystems; these new species can harm native and endemic species. This damage is costly to local communities and can threaten their lively hood.

If fisheries and aquaculture are to be managed properly and on a scale that will make a difference for the world ocean, a catalyst is needed that can overcome these obstacles. While forces are emerging independently in many areas that are tackling the symptoms and causes of global depletion of ocean resources, it is likely that large gains - in time, efficiency and effectiveness - are possible by joining forces, coordinating, and leveraging expertise and funding.