The marine environment is an integral part of the Earth’s life support systems and has provided one of the most important sources of natural resources for human development. The Pacific Ocean, the world largest ocean, is critical to support the economy and long-term welfare for countries and peoples around its rim. However, marine pollution has been a major concern in the Asia-Pacific region. A significant volume of municipal wastewater and various land-based pollutants have been continuously discharged into the marine environment without proper treatment. Many human activities are quickly degrading the quality of marine environment. Incidents, such as oil spills, have aggravated the situation. Exotic species and some ecologic concerns (e.g., antifouling materials) have also been the focus of marine environmental management and regional cooperation. In this regard, the 2005 Asia-Pacific Conference on Marine Pollution Prevention and Control (ACMP) is international conference is to provide a forum for exploring the current status, identifying the major issues, exchanging information and ideas as well as adequate strategies to overcome the problems of marine pollution in the Asia-Pacific region. It is also hope that the ACMP can be one of the important fora in the region.

2005ACMP