The Ocean Charter

THE OCEAN CHARTER

T he U ndersigned A gree:

T he oceans and their resources are a necessary element of life on the planet

T he health of the oceans and the wise, safe and sustainable use of the ocean resources, should be an axiom for all governments to accept and honour for the long-term benefit and existence of their respective and collective peoples.

T he acquisition of the knowledge necessary for the understanding and stewardship of the oceans and their adjacent seas for the adoption of policies, standards and regulations to protect the ocean environment and to husband their resources, are goals to be pursued both nationally and internationally.

T here should be mutual assistance and the will to work together to achieve common goals for the oceans - adjacent and regional coastal states should cooperate in the adoption of local policies and actions - countries with knowledge and resources should assist less fortunate neighbours - data and information for global and regional problems should be readily available - States should make use of international and intergovernmental organizations to generate global programmes and agreements.

W e recognize the wisdom of acting in unison to protect the oceans and to use their resources in a sustainable manner and accept this Ocean Charter as a basis for future action.

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The International Year of the Ocean, 1998