WESTPAC and FEC Joint Public Forum

1. Eutrophication and oligotrophic nutrients in the coastal area as possible theme related to Future Earth Coasts

・During economical developing stage, nutrient loads from land to the ocean tend to increase, causing eutrophic conditions, sometimes resulting in red tide and other biological problems. On the other hand, in matured developed societies, strong control of the nutrient load discharging to the environment would induce oligotrophic conditions in the coastal region, reducing biological productivity. The contradictory situation strongly depends on the stage of societal development. It is very important to manage nutrient loads for a sustainable healthy ocean, through exchange of information on recent nutrient management practices across countries.  

2. Influence of human activities to the marine environment, which would be related to the main theme of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature

・Impacts of human-controlled material transport on the marine environment (related to the topics in the 3^rd section）

・Effects of juvenile fish releases and extermination of certain species on marine ecosystems

・Impact of various governmental and social management measures on the marine environment

Concept

Global climate change significantly impacts coastal marine environments. During the economic development phase, nutrient loads from land to the ocean tend to increase, leading to eutrophic conditions. This can result in phenomena like red tides and other biological issues. Conversely, in mature, developed societies, stringent control of nutrient discharge can lead to oligotrophic conditions, reducing biological productivity. These contrasting situations are heavily influenced by the stage of societal development, underscoring the need for balanced, adaptive strategies.

Forum Focus

At a global level, addressing nutrient pollution is essential for safeguarding marine environments, which are interconnected and critical to sustaining biodiversity, fisheries, and coastal communities. Collaborative efforts across regions are key to developing scalable solutions that mitigate the widespread impacts of nutrient overloads, protect oceanic resources, and contribute to global climate resilience and sustainability goals.

This forum, a collaboration between IOC-WESTPAC and Future Earth Coasts (FEC), will explore appropriate coastal zone management measures through the exchange of information on the current status and nutrient management measures in each country. The focus will be on managing nutrient loads from land, which significantly impact coastal environments. By sharing recent advancements and strategies, the goal is to promote sustainable and healthy oceans amidst the challenges posed by global climate change.

The partnership between FEC and IOC-WESTPAC is crucial. FEC brings deep expertise in coastal sustainability, while IOC-WESTPAC’s regional focus and scientific leadership offer a strong platform for applying this knowledge within the framework of the “Healthy, Productive, and Sustainable Asian Marginal Seas” project. Together, this collaboration ensures that research outputs are not only scientifically robust but also attuned to the socio-economic realities of the region, greatly enhancing the project’s ability to generate actionable insights for sustainable management practices.

Key Points:

Impact of Climate Change:

Alters precipitation patterns, increasing nutrient runoff in some regions.

Rising sea temperatures can exacerbate eutrophic conditions.

Ocean acidification and sea-level rise further stress coastal ecosystems.

Oligotrophication in Developed Economies:

Strict regulations and advanced wastewater treatment reduce nutrient loads.

Results in nutrient-poor waters, which can decrease fishery yields and overall productivity.

Eutrophication in Developing Economies:

Increased nutrient loads from agricultural runoff, wastewater, and industrial discharges.

Leads to excessive growth of algae and other primary producers.

Can cause harmful algal blooms (red tides), hypoxia, and loss of biodiversity.

Importance of Nutrient Management:

Balancing nutrient inputs to maintain healthy, productive coastal ecosystems.

Requires international cooperation and information exchange on best practices.

Adaptive management strategies to respond to changing environmental conditions.