Marine and coastal ecosystems are among the most productive, yet threatened, ecosystems in the world; included in this category are terrestrial ecosystems, areas where fresh water and salt water mix, and nearshore coastal areas and open ocean marine areas. Total global coastlines exceed 1.6 million kilometers and coastal ecosystems occur in 123 countries around the world (Burke et al. 2001).

Marine resources provide the basis for the livelihoods of millions of people across the globe, as well as a range of critical ecosystem services, including oxygen production and carbon storage, several biodiversity-related services, such as the harvesting of living resources, coastal protection and genetic resources (Mohammed, 2012) and cultural and amenity services (Whitmarsh, 2011). The most commonly valued services are tourism and recreation, as well as storm protection (Mehvar et al., 2018). Fisheries alone provide multiple benefits to millions of people, including those living in poverty in the coastal communities of low-income countries