oceans are facing unprecedented threats as a result of human activity. Every year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in the worldÕs oceans. At the same time, climate change is damaging coral reefs and other key ecosystems; overfishing is threatening the stability of fish stocks; nutrient pollution is contributing to the creation of dead zones; and nearly 80 per cent of the worldÕs wastewater is discharged without treatment.