The role of science in ocean governance

Sustainable governance of the ocean demands a more integral and timely role for science. Although, science has played a limited role in global ocean g overnance regimes, science has made essential contributions to governance o n regional scales, particularly when there is strong scientific consensus, clear identification of problems and solutions, and convergence with cultur al ideas. Science is especially challenged to contribute to: understanding intergenerational and interspatial effects, addressing inherent uncertainty about the behavior of marine ecosystems, and integrated ecological-economi c models and assessments needed for adaptive management. Pressing issues re quiring stronger inclusion of science in ocean governance include the globa l nitrogen cycle and coastal eutrophication, irreversible habitat degradati on, sustainable exploitation of living resources, and the effects of climat e change on ocean and coastal environments. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.