There is growing concern about the damage inflicted by human activities on the seas and coastal environments. This textbook aims to give a clear and objective introduction to this subject. It describes the various types of wastes that enter the sea, their effects when they get there and their impacts on fisheries and human health. Emphasis is placed on what has been learned from practical experience. The author explains the factors that must be weighed in assessing pollution damage, and examines case histories from the North Sea, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Caspian and the Caribbean. This third edition has been revised and updated to reflect current views about the threat of marine pollution and the remedial measures being taken.