Press Release – National Science Challenges The world’s oceans are in trouble and humans are responsible. In Aotearoa New Zealand, the state of our marine environment is declining. Coasts and oceans are vital to our health, wealth and our national identity. We need them to be healthy and productive for future generations. But there is a growing conflict between the many ways we use and value the marine environment. We know our activities on land and at sea are degrading our marine world. However, as this recent marine environment report shows, we don’t know enough about these issues and pressures.