The aims of the project are to provide an integrated analysis of the impacts of fisheries on marine ecosystems, and to devise policies that can mitigate and reverse harmful trends whilst ensuring the social and economic benefits of sustainable fisheries.
The Sea Around Us has assembled global databases of catches, distribution of commercial marine species, countries fishing access agreements, ex-vessel prices, marine protected areas and other data—all available online with the hopes of collaboration.
The project is described by Dr. Pauly, the principal investigator, in greater detail in a paper published in Ambio in 2007.