The present assessment on land-based activities affecting the marine, coastal and associated freshwater environment in the South-East Pacific region was prepared as a main background document for the workshop on implementation of the Global Programme of Action in the South-East Pacific (Lima, Peru, 18-21 November 1996), organized by UNEP and the CPPS. The objective of the assessment is to present information that will assist Governments of the region, both individually and collectively, in their aims towards protecting the marine environment and achieving sustainable development of their coastal and marine areas through integrated coastal management initiatives. The assessment provides, for each country and the region as a whole, identification and assessment of problems related to land-based activities. This information serves as the basis for establishing the priorities for remedial actions. In addition, management objectives and approaches have been defined, and criteria proposed for the evaluation of their effectiveness.