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Topic I: Global cooperation to protect the marine environment Introduction to the problem The marine environment can be described or characterized at a number of different scales, ranging from ocean-level processes through to those that occur at species and genetic level (Connor et al. 2002). The scales of relevance here are marine landscapes, habitats and species; their inter-relationship can be expressed as follows: ?Species provide the globally accepted original classification of biological diversity, with well-established rules of taxonomy to distinguish between different types. Their classification is arranged in a hierarchy of genera, families, orders, classes and phyla. Habitats comprise suites of species (communities or assemblages) that consistently occur together, but which are derived from different parts of the taxonomic hierarchy (e.g. kelps, molluscs and fish in a kelp forest habitat). Their classification can also be structured in a hierarchy (biotopes, biotope complexes, broad habitats), reflecting degrees of similarity Marine Landscapes comprise suites of habitats that consistently occur together, but which are often derived from different parts of the habitat classification hierarchy (e.g. salt-marsh intertidal mudflats, rocky shores and sub- tidal mussel beds in an estuary). Different types of pollution Pollution from ships Ships can pollute waterways and oceans in many ways.?Oil spills?can have devastating effects. While being toxic to marine life,?polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons? (PAHS) found in?crude oil, are very difficult to clean up, and last for years in the?sediment?and marine environment. Discharge of cargo residues from?bulk carriers?can pollute ports, waterways and oceans. In many instances vessels intentionally discharge illegal wastes despite foreign and domestic regulation prohibiting such actions. It has been estimated that?container ships?lose over 10,000containers?at sea each year (usually during storms).Ships also creat