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The
North-West Pacific Region is vast and features a large variety
of marine and coastal ecosystems, from cold and deep-water ecosystems
in the north, to coral reefs in the south.
The region comprises semi-enclosed marginal seas situated in both the sub-polar
and temperate zones. It has spectacular marine life and commercially important
fishing and mariculture grounds and rich offshore mineral resources such as oil.
However, some parts are among the most highly populated areas of
the world, resulting in enormous pressures and demands on the environment.
Its people are particularly dependant on the sea for their food and livelihoods.
Yet their health and the health of their environment are under growing threat,
mainly from land-based activities and other sources of pollution.
Coastal development, industry, transport, oil production and activities such
as land reclamation and intensive mariculture take an ever-greater toll on coastal
ecosystems. Chemical and industrial wastes, untreated municipal sewage, agricultural
pesticides and nutrients in run-off cause widespread damage and stimulate eutrophication
and harmful algal blooms.
Added to these are oil pollution from wastewaters and accidental spills, atmospheric
pollution and marine and coastal litter.
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