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Anthony Knap,¹ Éric Dewailly,² Chris Furgal,² Jennifer Galvin,¹ Dan Baden,³ Robert E. Bowen,⁴ Michael Depledge,⁵ Linda Duguay,⁶ Lora E. Fleming,⁷ Tim Ford,⁸ Fredricka Moser,⁹ Richard Owen,¹ William A. Suk,¹⁰ and Umit Unluata¹¹

¹Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc., St. George's, Bermuda; ²Laval University, Québec City, Québec, Canada; ³Department of Chemistry and Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, USA; ⁴Department of Environmental, Coastal, and Ocean Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ⁵Department of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, United Kingdom; ⁶Wrigley Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA; ⁷National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA; ⁸Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; ⁹U.S. State Department, Washington, DC, USA; ¹⁰National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA; ¹¹Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, UNESCO, Paris, France

Abstract

We need to critically assess the present quality of the marine ecosystem, especially the connection between ecosystem change and threats to human health. In this article we review the current state of indicators to link changes in marine organisms with eventual effects to human health, identify research opportunities in the use of indicators of ocean and human health, and discuss how to establish collaborations between national and international governmental and private sector groups. We present a synthesis of the present state of understanding of the connection between ocean health and human health, a discussion of areas where resources are required, and a discussion of critical research needs and a template for future work in this field. To understand fully the interactions between ocean health and human health, programs should be organized around a "models-based" approach focusing on critical themes and attributes of marine environmental and public health risks. Given the extent and complex nature of ocean and human health issues, a program networking across geographic and disciplinary boundaries is essential. The overall goal of this approach would be the early detection of potential marine-based contaminants, the protection of marine ecosystems, the prevention of associated human illness, and by implication, the development of products to enhance human well-being. The tight connection between research and monitoring is essential to develop such an indicator-based effort. Key words: biologic effects, biomarkers, contamination, human health, indicators, ocean health. Environ Health Perspect 110:839-845 (2002) . [Online 17 July 2002]

http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2002/110p839-845knap/ abstract.html

Address correspondence to A. Knap, Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc., 17 Biological Lane, St. George's GE 01, Bermuda. Telephone: (441) 297-1880 ext. 244. Fax: (441) 297-0860. E-mail: knap@bbsr.edu

This work was funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO) , and the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, Inc. (contribution 1615) .

Received 26 November 2001 ; accepted 18 February 2002.