The September 1998 IAEA Bulletin edition is published in the UN Year of the Ocean, meant to raise awareness about our planet?s largest natural resource. Among the activities to raise attention, the IAEA will lead the International Symposium on Marine Pollution. This edition of the IAEA Bulletin reviews major issues being examined at the Symposium that affect the ocean?s health and future, and highlights cooperative initiatives involving and the IAEA and its global partners. Other articles present contemporary examples of how the IAEA?s Marine Environment Laboratory (MEL) in Monaco, in association with other IAEA departments, UN agencies, and international organizations, is serving the interests of countries in matters pertaining to the quality of the ocean environment. An article also reports on radiation techniques for plant breeding.