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The chapter provides an overview of the book and addresses the rationale for the selection of cases reflecting teaching and research in major areas of SDG14. For example, the impact of increasing global sea temperature, ocean acidification, and pollution on aquatic life and biosciences. Fisheries and aquaculture for seafood and marine ingredients and marine protected areas (MPAs) that favour the assemblage of fish, crustaceans, alga, coral, and mussels to enhance and stimulate biodiversity. New products derived from marine biotechnology are viewed to conserve and sustainably use the seas and oceans whilst promoting wealth creation and employment. Marine parks allow scientists to better study the marine environment and explore sustainable balances between tourism, work, and recreation in harmony with the Life Below Water – SDG14 mandate. Finally, the aspects of governance and roles of stakeholders and societal involvement are advocated in achieving the safe and effective use of marine resources. Throughout, the role of higher education in providing educated scientists and multidisciplinary specialists for future generations to come is highlighted.

Purpose – Scientific studies have shown that the coastal zone is one of the regions showing great vulnerability to the impacts of global environmental change. For the region, impacts that may directly affect the economy and daily life of the communities of coastal municipalities were predicted. It occurs from phenomena, e.g. temperature rise, sea level rise, salinity, acidification of the seas and extreme events.

Methodology/approach – The mariculture labourers and artisan fishers from the Cocanha beach (Caraguatatuba city, north coast of the state of São Paulo), a lookout group, are the first persons to perceive the environmental change impacts in their daily contact with natural resources. Thus, the aim herein was to (a) verify their perception on the amount and quality of mussels and fish catch and (b) if such changes could be related to global environmental changes. In order to do so, semi-structured interviews with this social group were conducted in November 2009–February 2011 and codified by using the NVIVO8 software.

Findings – The results indicated a decrease in fish stocks and, according to interviewees, such decrease was tied in with changes in fishing, in climate, and in beach landscape. Moreover, the category related to increased water temperature was highly significant, since the fishing and mariculture activities are directly influenced by this factor.

Research limitations – The perception evaluation through interviews with artisanal fishermen and shellfishermen implies that many subjective aspects are present, as well as the role of the media that has published significant information on climate change in the contemporary world.

Originality/value of paper – There are few studies that present these perspectives; however, the authors believe that it is possible, while recognising the possible limitations of the method, to recognise something that is already perceived by the community and may help to evaluate the reality they face and to contribute actually to the construction of future public policies.

The report is an environmental impact assessment of two conjoining water streams in the lower area of the Wembury catchment where freshwater meets the coast. The assessment was conducted as there were concerns that the streams may be causing exceedances of the Environmental Quality Standards (EQS) due to catchment-based inputs from anthropogenic activities.

Water, sediment samples, and other parameters were collected, measured, and treated to preserve the concentration of nutrients and metals at three sites. A comparison with the neighbouring river Erme was made to determine if the findings were coherent. The report includes recommendations and mitigation strategies needed to improve the environmental quality of the system.

Findings indicate several breaches of EQS: water nitrogen, copper and zinc, and sediment copper. The highest recorded concentrations were mainly at sites one and two, likely from point source inputs from Wembury town and pollution accumulation from upstream land use such as arable and agricultural land. A special precaution must be taken for sediment copper, increasing monitoring to ensure values do not exceed Probable Effects Level (PEL) possibly becoming dangerous for the fauna and flora but also for humans. River Erme showed to also have EQS breaches but to some degree displayed an overall better ecological status. Despite several breaches in the legal limits, Wembury displays an overall good ecological status supporting life above and below water and is therefore an appropriate model for promoting environmental stewardship. It is to be noted that the material of the coursework was further edited after its original submission.