Fisheries, coastal development, navigation and offshore energy generation all take place in the seas and oceans; they have an impact on the marine environment, but also require knowledge of this environment to continue to develop on a sustainable basis.
Is gníomhaíochtaí iad an t–iascach, an fhorbairt chóstach, an loingseoireacht, an táirgeadh fuinnimh a chleachtaítear san fharraige agus sna haigéin: bíonn iarmhairt acu ar an timpeallacht mhuirí, ach ní mór freisin go dtuigfeadh siad an timpeallacht seo le go ndéanfaí í a fhorbairt ar bhonn inbhuanaithe.