Background paper
Description
Degradation of the marine environment too often is the result of human activities that use resources beyond replenishment, that dispose of wastes in areas unable to assimilate pollutants, and that physically alter or destroy habitats. In 1995, 109 nations of the world adopted the United Nations Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land Based Activities (GPA) (United Nations Environment Programme, 1995).
