Approaches and Policy Steps

Most marine environmental problems from land-based activities are cross-sectoral in origin. So are their solutions. For example, the problems of eutrophication, sedimentation of near-shore ecosystems and destruction of habitats will require the same kinds of control measures to deal with them.

Measures to reduce sedimentation will obviously have an impact on nutrient inputs that cause eutrophication. Stopping the physical alteration of habitats will al;so keep soils stable and reduce nutrient flow. Reducing agricultural use of fertilizer will stop some nitrogen emissions as will catalytic converters for cars or scrubbers for industry.

But will these measures be enough to stop nitrogen flows to the sea? The UN's marine scientists doubt it. They suspect that only radical changes in transport patterns and energy use will cut back the flows significantly. For the moment these remain a serious concern.