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Why our coasts are important
The coastal zone makes up only 10 per cent of the ocean environment, but is home to over 90 per cent of all marine species. For example, of the 13,200 known species of marine fish, almost 80 per cent are coastal.

The coastal zone has the most nutrients of all marine environments. Sunlight can penetrate the shallow waters above continental shelves (land that slopes gently down from the coastline of most continents to a depth of around 200m) meaning that plants can grow, while the sea floor provides an anchor for many organisms. As a result, a number of extremely productive and complex coastal ecosystems have evolved.

Not only do these ecosystems support a huge variety of life, many also serve as nurseries for much of the biodiversity of the entire oceanic system. These ecosystems also help protect coastal land from erosion due to storm surges and other large waves, such as tsunamis.

The coast also has a huge influence on the population. According to the UN, around 3.6bn people, or 60 per cent of the world's population, live within 60km of the coast. And 80 per cent of all tourism takes place in coastal areas. Most of the goods we extract from the ocean, from fish to oil and gas, come from coastal regions. Coastal ecosystems also provide a range of services that benefit people around the world.

 ESO Calendar
Lecture: Joining front runners of environmental initiatives in Oman
Date: Aug 26th
Venue: To be announced
Time: Doors open 7pm, lecture starts 7:30pm
Speaker: Dr Salim al Harthy, chairman, physics department, SQU

Bluefin tuna threat
Bluefin tuna stocks in the East Atlantic and Mediterranean are being stripped bare by illegal and unscrupulous fishing, warns a new WWF report. The independent study commissioned by WWF reveals the extent of illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in these regions.

The 42-nation International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas' (ICCAT) annual fishing quota of 32,000 tonnes was smashed by more than 40 per cent in 2004 with a catch of 44,948 tonnes, rising to 45,547 in 2005. Real catches are likely to amount to well over 50,000 tonnes.

Why fish?

• Fish and seafood contribute to the food supply, economy and health of many nations across the world
• Fish and seafood products are among the most widely traded commodities, worth billions of dollars annually
• Fishing is a major source of employment: over 38mn people rely directly on fisheries for employment, most supporting families and communities
• A billion people rely on marine fish as an important source of protein

Did you know?
Only one in every thousand turtle hatchlings will eventually make it to adulthood