Regional Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the East Asian Seas from the Effects of Land-based Activities (2000)

Human activities on land are a major threat to the health, productivity and biodiversity of the marine environment. About 80per cent of all marine pollution is caused by human activities on land in the form of sewage disposal in rivers and coastal waters; urban storm-water run-off; sediments mobilization; inadequately treated waters from industries; discharges of phosphorous and nitrogen used in agriculture; and finally, dumping of heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants.