Abstract:
The world’s oceans are integral to the livelihoods, food security, and economic well-be-
ing of billions of people around the world. More than three billion people, roughly 40%
of the global population, reside in coastal areas and rely on the ocean as a fundamental
source of their livelihoods [1]. Meanwhile, industries such as tourism, fisheries, marine
transportation and petroleum-related to the ocean economy play a key role in global
economic expansion and climate action [2], [3]. Despite the immense value of the ocean,
marine ecosystems face many threats, including climate change with rising sea levels
and ocean acidification, pollution from natural and anthropogenic sources, unsustain-
able fishing practices depleting fish stocks, and coastal development [4], [5]. For exam-
ple, in the Sri Lankan context, the X-Press Pearl ship accident has caused enduring dam-
age to the local coastal and marine ecosystem. The contamination of these ecosystems
with hazardous materials and plastic pellets has led to a sustained decline in fish stocks,
adversely impacting the fishing industry. The Sri Lankan eco-tourism has also experi-
enced long-term declines in tourism revenue. The lasting health risks associated with
pollutants threaten both marine life and communities dependent on the ocean
