Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies

ADB launches $US5 billion ocean health initiative

The plan was announced at the ADB board of governor's meeting, held last week in Fiji.

The Action Plan for Healthy Oceans and Sustainable Blue Economies targets maritime welfare in the Asia-Pacific.

ADB president Takehiko Nakao said it was part of a more, "resilient future, where humanity and oceans thrive together".

Of the world's 10 rivers carrying the most plastic pollution to the ocean, the ADB said eight were in the region.

Without immediate action, the ADB said about 90 percent of the region's coral reefs could be dead by 2050.