Résumé
Several recent global assessments of the status of marine exploited ecosystems have concluded that (a) most marine ecosystems are managed poorly, (b) many ecosystems are highly impacted by fishing, and (c) many fisheries are vulnerable to climate change impacts. Based on these studies, one key highlight of this paper is that developing countries, particularly in the tropics, are suffering a triple whammy: they are the least well managed, often highly impacted by fishing and most vulnerable to climate change. We argue that there is a growing need for a more in-depth assessment of marine ecosystems, the services they produce and the human infrastructure they support, an assessment that should encompass the different facets of ecosystem assessment. The IndiSeas program is working towards this goal.