I commend you on your special report on the sea (“Troubled Waters,” January 3, 2009). “The sea is suffering,” as you point out, “mostly at the hand of man.” You cover much: mounting pollution, chronic over-fishing, and sea-floor-grabbing for oil and gas exploitation, as well as the resulting mass extinctions of marine flora and fauna, rapid melting of the icecaps, swelling of the sea due to increasing temperatures in the atmosphere, and rising sea levels threatening coastal settlements. Although you conclude on a positive note, calling for more research, better management, and property rights to protect the sea from excessive exploitation, you do not suggest that these remedies will come easily or quickly, especially in view of the global economic crisis. “It is clear,” as you argue, “that man must change his ways.” Whether or not this will ever come to pass remains to be seen, though, but your warning is loud and clear. Quantum sufficit.