Call for Reviewers of the World Ocean Assessment

Resumen

The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with the National Ocean Council, requests expert review of the draft World Ocean Assessment. The United Nations (UN) has embarked on a regular process for global reporting on, and assessment of, the state of the marine environment, including socioeconomic aspects, the product of which is called the World Ocean Assessment (WOA). The projected completion date for the first WOA is December 2014. Subsequent WOAs are expected to be generated every five years in order to document trends in the state of the marine environment. The WOA includes more than fifty subjects grouped within four main themes: marine environment and understanding of the ocean's role in the global integrated Earth system; food security and food safety; human activities that influence the ocean or are influenced by the ocean; and marine biological diversity. A scientific and technical summary will integrate content to show linkages through interdisciplinary subjects such as human impacts, ecosystem services, and habitats. More information regarding the evolution and methodology of the WOA can be found at www.worldoceanassessment.org. This fall, UN Member States will have