This book addresses the question of the double exposure of marine ecosystems, i.e. to both global climate changes and economic globalization. This book contains a short, but self sufficient mathematical introduction, the formalization in the context of Network economics of global commodity chains, with both trophic and economic processes, and a series of cases studies, going from the re‐addressing of fundamental ecological questions such as Gause’s exclusion principles to practical studies such as the representation of the global supply chain for tuna.

This book addresses the question of the double exposure of marine ecosystems, i.e. to both global climate changes and economic globalization. This book contains a short, but self sufficient mathematical introduction, the formalization in the context of Network economics of global commodity chains, with both trophic and economic processes, and a series of cases studies, going from the re‐addressing of fundamental ecological questions such as Gause’s exclusion principles to practical studies such as the representation of the global supply chain for tuna.

This book lays the foundations for quality modeling and analysis in the context of supply chains through a synthesis of the economics, operations management, as well as operations research/management science literature on quality. The reality of today's supply chain networks, given their global reach from sourcing locations to points of demand, is further challenged by such issues as the growth in outsourcing as well as the information asymmetry associated with what producers know about the quality of their products and what consumers know. Although much of the related literature has focused on the micro aspects of supply chain networks, considering two or three decision-makers, it is essential to capture the scale of supply chain networks in a holistic manner that occurs in practice in order to be able to evaluate and analyze the competition and the impacts on supply chain quality in a quantifiable manner. This volume provides an overview of the fundamental methodologies utilized in this book, including optimization theory, game theory, variational inequality theory, and projected dynamical systems theory. It then focuses on major issues in today's supply chains with respect to quality, beginning with information asymmetry, followed by product differentiation and branding, the outsourcing of production, from components to final products, to quality in freight service provision. The book is filled with numerous real-life examples in order to emphasize the generality and pragmatism of the models and tools. The novelty of the framework lies in a network economics perspective through which the authors identify the underlying network structure of the various supply chains, coupled with the behavior of the decision-makers, ranging from suppliers and manufacturers to freight service providers. What is meant by quality is rigorously defined and quantified. The authors explore the underlying dynamics associated with the competitive processes along with the equilibrium solutions. As appropriate, the supply chain decision-makers compete in terms of quantity and quality, or in price and quality. The relevance of the various models that are developed to specific industrial sectors, including pharmaceuticals and high technology products, is clearly made. Qualitative analyses are provided, along with effective, and, easy to implement, computational procedures. Finally, the impacts of policy interventions, in the form of minimum quality standards, and their ramifications, in terms of product prices, quality levels, as well as profits are explored. The book is filled with many network figures, graphs, and tables with data.

This book considers the principle of ‘sustainable development’ which is currently facing a growing environmental crisis. A new mode of thinking and positioning the ecological imperative is the major input of this volume. The prism of co-viability is not the economics of political agencies that carry the ideology of the dominant/conventional economic schools, but rather an opening of innovation perspectives through science. This volume, through its four parts, more than 40 chapters and a hundred authors, gives birth to a paradigm which crystallizes within a concept that will support in overcoming the ecological emergency deadlock.

This Draft Marine Bill (Cm. 7351, ISBN 9780101735124) contains the following: a policy paper; the draft Marine Bill and explanatory notes; an impact assessment. The Bill sets out the Government's approach to a number of marine related issues, including environmental protection of the coastal marine environment and the seas surrounding the coast as well as access to the coastal environment for recreation. The legislation set out in this Bill was originally proposed in "Sea Change", a Marine White Paper, published in March 2007 (Cm. 7047, ISBN 9780101704724). The White Paper itself had proposed a strategic system of marine planning to balance conservation, energy and resource needs, using the principle of sustainable development. The Draft proposals in this Bill puts the earlier proposals of the White Paper into a legislative framework, which includes: the creation of the Marine Management Organisation; deliverance of new marine planning systems, including establishing new powers to enable the Government to put in place a network of marine conservation zones to protect marine life; better licensing decisions for licensing activities in the seas; reforms to a range of marine, migratory and freshwater fisheries management arrangements; allow greater access to the English coast. Comments on the Draft Bill should be submitted in writing by 26 June 2008.

This report explores the growth prospects for the ocean economy, its capacity for future employment creation and innovation, and its role in addressing global challenges. Special attention is devoted to the emerging ocean-based industries.

The ocean has absorbed a significant portion of all human-made carbon dioxide emissions. This benefits human society by moderating the rate of climate change, but also causes unprecedented changes to ocean chemistry. Carbon dioxide taken up by the ocean decreases the pH of the water and leads to a suite of chemical changes collectively known as ocean acidification. The long term consequences of ocean acidification are not known, but are expected to result in changes to many ecosystems and the services they provide to society. Ocean Acidification: A National Strategy to Meet the Challenges of a Changing Ocean reviews the current state of knowledge, explores gaps in understanding, and identifies several key findings. Like climate change, ocean acidification is a growing global problem that will intensify with continued CO2 emissions and has the potential to change marine ecosystems and affect benefits to society. The federal government has taken positive initial steps by developing a national ocean acidification program, but more information is needed to fully understand and address the threat that ocean acidification may pose to marine ecosystems and the services they provide. In addition, a global observation network of chemical and biological sensors is needed to monitor changes in ocean conditions attributable to acidification.

Fluctuations and declines in marine fish populations have caused growing concern among marine scientists, fisheries managers, commercial and recreational fishers, and the public. Sustaining Marine Fisheries explores the nature of marine ecosystems and the complex interacting factors that shape their productivity. The book documents the condition of marine fisheries today, highlighting species and geographic areas that are under particular stress. Challenges to achieving sustainability are discussed, and shortcomings of existing fisheries management and regulation are examined. The volume calls for fisheries management to adopt a broader ecosystem perspective that encompasses all relevant environmental and human influences. Sustaining Marine Fisheries offers new approaches to building workable fisheries management institutions, improving scientific data, and developing management tools. The book recommends ways to change current practices that encourage overexploitation of fish resources. It will be of special interest to marine policymakers and ecologists, fisheries regulators and managers, fisheries scientists and marine ecologists, fishers, and concerned individuals.

Full addresses with telephone and fax numbers are provided. Cross-referenced indexes list entrants by speciality and by country or major state, so that users can readily identify individuals in any given field and in any geographical location.

The book looks at the need of minerals for humanity, how and what the oceans offer as minerals in general, the technological developments achieved and the insight into future technologies and designs in this field before finally focusing on the mineral wealth of the Indian Ocean. It eventually poses some tough questions that need answers if deep seabed mining is to become a success in the future. In addition, it discusses the efforts of the key players in this field operating in the Indian ocean that has rejuvenated the deep seabed mining both economically and strategically. Since, commercial profitability of marine minerals occurs only if the demand is greater than the supply, at times, the decision gets governed by strategic reasoning. Hence, the book aims to give an idea of the driving forces that guide such decision-making and the development of deep seabed mining.