Background

     There is an increasing concern of the degradation of marine ecosystems services on which our society is dependent. We receive tremendous benefits such as food supply, water purification, protection from storms and tsunami and various cultural services. Because of increasing human population and demands on marine products and also anthropogenic climate change, marine ecosystems are rapidly changing and degrading. This is a serious threat for the sustainability of our society.

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     Marine ecosystems in the Southeast Asian (SEA) is comprised of divers ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and deep basin over 4000-m deep. These diverse environments harbor the unique and high biodiversity of the region, known as the hotspot of biodiversity in the world ocean. One important character of the SEA marine ecosystems is high population along the coasts (>600 million). Coastal regions are highly utilized from artisanal fishery to tourism and oil gas industry. Therefore, we need unique strategies for the SEA marine ecosystems which enable sustainable use of marine ecosystem services and development.

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     The United Nations has proclaimed a Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) to support efforts to reverse the cycle of decline in ocean health and gather ocean stakeholders worldwide behind a common framework that will ensure ocean science can fully support countries in creating improved conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Decade is essential to reach the goal of UN SDG14 “Life below Water”. Scientists are requested from society to prepare best scientific knowledge for decision making for sustainable use of marine ecosystems. However, marine ecosystems in the SEA is quite complex and our knowledge are still limited. In order to respond to the request from society in appropriate timing, it is essential to develop an international science and capacity building network.