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OCEAN GOVERNANCE, COOPERATION

AND DIPLOMACY

Leandra Regina Gonçalves

Andrei de Abreu Sodré Polejack

1. Introduction

Scientific evidence of the importance of and estuaries), and interference with phos-
the ocean for the maintenance of life on phorus and nitrogen cycles (ROCKSTRÖM et
the planet abounds (ROCKSTRÖM et al., al., 2009; STEFFEN et al., 2015). In addition,
2009; STEFFEN et al., 2015). The ocean humanity has crossed the planetary thresh-
produces and regulates most of the planet’s old related to chemical pollutants, including
oxygen and water (IPCC, 2019), provides plastics. Plastic production alone increased
a large amount of nutrients, protects the by 79% between 2000 and 2015 (PERSSON
world’s greatest biodiversity and still acts et al., 2022). All of this exacerbates exist-
as an important source of protein for the ing threats and vulnerabilities reported by
world’s population (FAO, 2020). science for more than 10 years to marine
The ability to provide these vital services species and to the health and well-being of
is diminishing and new threats emerge. humanity (CURRIE; WOWK, 2009; HALP-
The ocean is impacted by at least six of the ERN et al., 2019).
ten planetary boundaries: the impact of Historically, since the period of the great
climate change, acidification, loss of bio- navigations, the ocean has also been the
diversity, changes in land use (mangroves stage of conflicts over sovereignty and use

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136 BLUE ECONOMY Ocean Governance, Cooperation and Diplomacy 137
Ocean Governance, Cooperation and Diplomacy