Book excerpt: This report provides an overview of the current state of the coastal and marine environment in relation to the nine categories of threats outlined by the Global Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities (GPA). The report indicates that legal and institutional arrangements have been strengthened and now cover most regions of the world, but that despite these heightened efforts globally, coastal and marine ecosystems continue to deteriorate mainly because of pressures by human development. Publishing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).