Large Marine Ecosystems of the Indian Ocean

In this volume marine experts from countries of East Africa and southern Asia describe the conditions of marine resources of the large marine ecosystems of the Indian Ocean. Countries of the region represent over a quarter of the world's population, most of whom are existing at or below the poverty level. The potentials for economic growth through the development of coastal tourism, mariculture, fisheries, mineral extraction, and oil and gas production are examined by the authors in relation to the need for ensuring the long-term sustainability of marine resources. Case studies of resource assessments presented by several authors illustrate the magnitude of risk from continuing degradation of resources under the prevailing unmanaged conditions extending over much of coastal areas of East Africa and southern Asia. The authors explore the application of multidisciplinary ecosystem-based assessment and management strategies to the future economic development of the large marine ecosystems of the region. With the initiation of science-based management practcies, the ecosystems of the area can provide an important source of economic growth, improved food security, and nutritional benefits to the populations of stakeholders in coastal areas bordering the Indian Ocean

Kenneth Sherman is the editor of Large Marine Ecosystems of the Indian Ocean: Assessment, Sustainability and Management, published by Wiley. Ezekiel N. Okemwa is the editor of Large Marine Ecosystems of the Indian Ocean: Assessment, Sustainability and Management, published by Wiley.

Coastal resources of developed and developing nations are being adversely affected by human activities and environmental degradation, and the fate of the Indian Ocean is no exception. In an effort to improve the current state of this important large marine ecosystem (LME) and to prevent future damage, a symposium on the status and future of LMEs of the Indian Ocean was held in Kenya by marine experts from the region. It was organized to review results from various studies, including reports on the Somali Current, the Agulhas Current, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and a number of other LMEs, representing contributions from 19 countries. The studies in this book were selected from among those presented at the symposium and have been peer reviewed. In addition, they have been augmented with a peer reviewed study describing an innovative strategy for the assessment and management of the Bay of Bengal ecosystem.

This book is arranged into four sections: Assessment and Sustainability of LMEs, Pelagic Ecosystems, Case Studies, and Management and Governance:

Assessment and Sustainability of LMEs: The first section consists of descriptions of strategies for assessing ecosystem change, including modules for productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance.

Pelagic Ecosystems: Six chapters deal solely with the results of assessments of the oceanography, productivity, plankton, and fishes of the pelagic domains of the region.

Case Studies: Encompassing a broad spectrum of LME-related issues, an entire section (six chapters) of case studies has been included to provide the reader with specific examples of conditions within LMEs of the region.

Management and Governance: This section focuses on the future of the region, and what needs to be done in order to support long term sustainability of costal resources.

Coastal resources of developed and developing nations are being adversely affected by human activities and environmental degradation, and the fate of the Indian Ocean is no exception. In an effort to improve the current state of this important large marine ecosystem (LME) and to prevent future damage, a symposium on the status and future of LMEs of the Indian Ocean was held in Kenya by marine experts from the region. It was organized to review results from various studies, including reports on the Somali Current, the Agulhas Current, the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and a number of other LMEs, representing contributions from 19 countries. The studies in this book were selected from among those presented at the symposium and have been peer reviewed. In addition, they have been augmented with a peer reviewed study describing an innovative strategy for the assessment and management of the Bay of Bengal ecosystem. This book is arranged into four sections: Assessment and Sustainability of LMEs, Pelagic Ecosystems, Case Studies, and Management and Governance: Assessment and Sustainability of LMEs: The first section consists of descriptions of strategies for assessing ecosystem change, including modules for productivity, fish and fisheries, pollution and ecosystem health, socioeconomics, and governance. Pelagic Ecosystems: Six chapters deal solely with the results of assessments of the oceanography, productivity, plankton, and fishes of the pelagic domains of the region. Case Studies: Encompassing a broad spectrum of LME-related issues, an entire section (six chapters) of case studies has been included to provide the reader with specific examples of conditions within LMEs of the region. Management and Governance: This section focuses on the future of the region, and what needs to be done in order to support long term sustainability of costal resources.

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