Long considered the traditional domain of shipping, shipbuilding, fishing, and- since the 1960s - offshore oil and gas, new activities are emerging: offshore wind, tidal and wave energy, offshore aquaculture, seabed mining, marine biotechnology, etc. These are fast-developing and reshaping and diversifying the maritime economy, while at the same time becoming increasingly interconnected both with one another and with traditional maritime sectors. At the same time, the world has witnessed a serious decline in the health of its oceans. In spite of long-standing efforts by a range of international organisations, regulatory regimes at global and regional level have found it difficult to adjust to these new circumstances and effectively integrate issues arising from the growing presence of emerging ocean industries.