This book has been conceived with the aim of contributing to the International Conference on Ocean Management in Global Change [Genoa, June 22-26, 1992] and to the ocean sciences'' debate on the conceptual framework and targets of sea management. The former objective is justified by the background of the conference, which is aimed at encouraging a multidisciplinary approach to the management of the sea and implementing comprehensive approaches to sea resource use and environmental protection and conservation. The latter objective is justified by the growing importance which literature has been attributing to the theoretical and methodological bases of sea management since the late seventies.
The thesis which supports this work is that the more marine scientists are capable of moving towards a general system-based approach to sea uses and environmental implications, making holistic views, and creating common forms for implementing multidisciplinary views, the more sea management will have the opportunity of advancing.
This book will be of value to those involved in coastal, sea and ocean management, oceanographers, marine ecologists and environmentalists, coastal planners, policy makers and geographers.