Core talks are delivered on related current and emerging issues facing the marine community provide the focus for discussion and analysis as well as a series of working/focus groups and panel discussions. Alongside this formal side, there is ample opportunity to take advantage of informal meetings at working lunches, refreshment periods and break-out sessions.

In particular, our interests for the Global Entitlements to Ocean Space part of the meeting will be to examine the measures which can be brought to bear to minimize dispute and potential conflict issues which have been highlighted by our new maps of the world's oceans. To develop this theme, NOCS will present a series of three sets of charts depicting continental shelf submissions under UNCLOS to date, potential submissions based on preliminary information, and areas of potential 'pressure points' or stress areas in overlapping or disputed territory. Coordination, joint submissions, non-objection agreement processes all have precedents and can be considered as options to mitigate the challenges presented by these disputes. Some potential flash points have long and complex histories, and the new cases being brought before the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and many extant areas of overlapping interest in some of these may extend to discussion groups in their own right.

Our other theme, Biodiversity and the Marine Environment will look at the spatial management of ocean resources and the conservation of biodiversity. The World's oceans are facing multiple pressures as man develops technologies and markets for marine resources. Deep-water fisheries extend to 1500m depth, oil and gas is extracted at depths of 3000m, minerals may be mined soon from the abyss and communication cables criss-cross all the major oceans. In addition, biological resources are being shown to have value, such as the recent discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vent snails with novel armour that may have commercial applications. It is clear that the uses and abuses of the deep ocean are increasing. Legislation for the management of the oceans is playing catch up. Is there a way forward for the utilisation of the riches of the ocean while at the same time safeguarding marine ecosystems for the health of the oceans and for future generations?

What plans need to be made now for ocean stewardship before there are too many vested interests and competing demands? The The International Ocean Stewardship Forum seeks to address these questions by bringing together international experts in law, policy and science to identify critical issues and influence future debates.