The Ocean: Our Future is the official report of the Independent World Commission on the Oceans, chaired by Mario Soares. This book is the first to deal holistically in a single volume with the full range of problems confronting our oceans on the eve of the twenty-first century. In the space of only a few decades, our traditional perception of the oceans as a source of wealth, opportunity and abundance has changed. The oceans have become the setting for a growing list of problems: territorial disputes, disruptions to global climate, overfishing, species extinction, pollution, illegal trafficking, and the destruction of coastal communities. Based on the deliberations, experience and input of some 100 specialists from around the world, the book advances innovative ideas for improving governance of the oceans and coastal zones. Written in an accessible manner this book will be valued by everyone interested in the future of the oceans.