IOC has been addressing, though its Ocean Science Programme, critical scientific uncertainties in relation to the management and sustainable use of the marine environment and the ocean's role in global change facilitating, promoting and co-ordinating appropriate research and related capacity-building activities. New perspectives in marine environmental protection require new integrated approaches in research as well as management. An interdisciplinary science approach involving the understanding of couple chemical, biological, physical, global and coastal ocean processes in the ecosystem context is now essential.