Marine ecosystems in Melanesia's Ocean face decline, putting a large part of Melanesia's economy and future at risk. A new report said on Tuesday that despite the gloomy picture things could change with better management.

Melanesia, one of the Pacific's extremely vulnerable areas, is a huge sub-region covering Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. It stretches from the western edge of the Pacific Ocean to the Arafura Sea, and eastward to Fiji.

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A World Wildlife Fund (WWF)  Fiji report, Reviving Melanesia's Ocean Economy: The Case for Action, was launched today with an intention to preserve the ocean, secure food, livelihood, and the local economy. The report claimed the 'ocean' is worth at least $23billion.

The report also outlines the contribution of the sea to the economy, overall the value of the 'ocean and coastlines' in Melanesia is at about US$548 billion

However, a variety of factors including overfishing; population growth and climate change were destroying the ocean and could have a significant influence on the region's economic landscape.

"The physical and chemical conditions in the ocean are changing faster than at any other point in history," it said. "And there is a strong chance that the declining ocean assets of the Melanesian region will constrain options for future generations."

 "The valuation that is provided in this report is intended for our leaders to re-look at oceans in terms of provisioning for our livelihoods, economic development, and growth in the region but from a perspective of making resources more sustainable, making the linkages much tighter." states the report.