Restoring the health and prosperity of the Indian Ocean

In many areas ocean ecosystems are under stress. How can the ecological integrity of these areas be preserved and restored in light of a growing interest in the economic potential of sea-bed exploration, intensive fishing operations and increasing shipping activities? These are the issues explored recently at 'the first conference of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) on the blue economy', attended by high-level officials and ministers of countries bordering the Indian Ocean, Ina van der Linde reports.