Geoff Holland was awarded a BSc and MSc in Hydrodynamics and Aerodynamics from London University, before becoming a scientific officer for the UK Government Hydraulic Research Station in Wallingford (1957-67). He then emigrated to Canada and spent 32 years working in ocean science with the Canadian government, culminating with a position as Director General, Ocean Sciences and Services. During this time, he served on many national committees dealing with issues such as climate, energy, offshore resources, pollution, ocean data buoys and remote sensing. He was appointed Chairman of the International Maritime Organisation 1985-1989, overseeing the discussions leading to the ban on the ocean disposal of low-level radioactive waste. He was then made Chairman of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) 1995-1999. Mr Holland retired in 1999 and has since been appointed Canadian 'Ocean Ambassador' by the Minister for Fisheries and Oceans.

List of contributors; Foreword HSH Prince Albert of Monaco; List of acronyms; Part I. Introduction Geoff Holland and David Pugh; Part II. The Global Context: 1. For the ocean Patricio Bernal; 2. The UN, science and ocean governance Alan Simcock; 3. UNCLOS and ocean science Elie Jarmache; 4. Fifty years of developing national marine skills Ehrlich Desa and Joannes Berque; 5. The early years of the IOC Desmond Scott and Geoff Holland; Part III. Oceans and Science: 6. Ocean science, an overview Gunnar Kullenberg; 7. Ocean climate programmes Allyn Clarke; 8. The international bathymetric chart Ron Macnab and Dmitri Travin; 9. Living marine resources Henrik Enevoldsen; 10. Non-governmental organizations Elizabeth Gross; Part IV. Observations and Data: 11. Ocean observations Peter Dexter and Colin Summerhayes; 12. Oceanographic data: from paper to pixels Iouri Oliounine and Peter Pissierssens; Part V. Applications: 13. Coastal zone management Laurence Mee; 14. Hazards and warnings David Pugh; 15. Caribbean co-operation Guillermo Garcia Montero; 16. Oceans, science and governments in Africa Justin Ahanhanzo and Geoff Brundrit; Part VI. Intergovernmental Agencies and Science: 17. The Food and Agriculture Organisation Ray Griffiths; 18. The International Hydrographic Organisation Hugo Gorziglia; 19. The International Maritime Organisation Andrea Garcia; 20. The United Nations Environment Programme Salif Diop and Jacqueline Alder; 21. The World Meteorological Organisation Peter Dexter and Yves Treglos; Part VII. The Future: 22. The future of oceans, science and governance Neville Smith; 23. Afterword Geoff Holland and David Pugh; Index.