Not to common knowledge 90% of the world’s biomass is placed in the ocean, taking up 70% of the Earth’s surface. Studies have shown that 20% of the world’s protein is extracted from the ocean. Humans catch roughly 72 million tons of pelagic fish annually. We don’t just extract fish out of the ocean but also other resources such as oil, sand, gravel, salt and etc. Yes, we do extract resources from the ocean, but we don’t stop there, we continue to dump harmful substances such as 5 million tons of plastic back into the ocean. Asia alone has one billion people dependent on fish as a protein source. With all the benefits the ocean has to provide you would assumed that the human race would nurture and care for its defining feature, the ocean. Sadly, we have only taped off 1% of the world’s oceans. Marine protected areas also commonly known as MPAs have been around for a few decades, picking up in popularity in many nations. MPAs are areas such as fishery management zones, national parks, and what we have mainly focused on, marine reserves. We have not sectored off any more than the size of the west coast of the US. With the world extracting the majority of the protein source from the ocean we need to be aware of the effects it has on the marine fauna. Establishing these MPAs will help preserve keystone, endangered, exotic and commercial fished species. The idea of a sectored area of limits to man is not a new idea. The idea has been thrown around for centuries in Island nations
The Ocean has many ecosystems and animals that live and survive in there. We depend on some of the natural resources the ocean provides. We are hurting this by dangerous fishing and overfishing or overexploitation of the fish. The ocean has a great diversity
The oceans need to be protected because it is where life began and if not taken care of, life as we know it will end. The well-being of the ocean is constantly being threatened and needs to stop. When dangerous substances go into the ocean, ecosystems suffer and become endangered along with the lives of people and marine life. The importance of protecting and preserving the quality and biodiversity of the world 's coasts must be recognized because they are truly irreplaceable. If humans are not educated , and become careless about what is thrown on the ground or sprayed on lawns, disastrous effects follow when it comes to the condition of the ocean’s ecosystems, which can endanger life itself, leading to a problem only we can correct. There is historical evidence of ocean pollution, although the problem still shadows us today.
Oceans cover approximately 75% of Earth 's surface and are vital to this planet and the people who inhabit it. Oceans provide food, natural resources, and recreation for nearly everyone in this world. Unfortunately Oceans have been receiving mass amount of pollutants including oil spills, toxic waste dumping, and industrial dumping. These pollutants will have negative impacts on the wildlife in the ocean, as we are seeing already with the Coral Reefs, and soon enough it will begin to affect our lives as well.
People are polluting the oceans which not only affects us but also affects the beautiful underwater habitats and interesting sea creatures. Two billion people within 30 miles of the coast create 100 metric tons of coastal plastic waste (Doc.1). This plastic waste can get caught around sea animals, injuring them or even killing them (OI). Oils spills can really hurt marine life (Doc.2). Some creatures could eat it or get covered in it. If the fish eats the oil and then someone or something eats the fish they could get extremely ill. When there are excess nutrients in the water algal blooms occur, which is when algae has too many nutrients and reproduces in large numbers, this can also hurt people (OI). For these reasons and many more we should
The earliest accounts of overfishing occurred in the 1800s, when the demand of whale blubber nearly wiped out the whale populations. In the mid 1900s, the harvesting of Atlantic cod, herring, and California sardines drove them to the brink of extinction. These high disruptions cause regional depletions of animal resources which is starting to cause a global problem. There has never been a more urgent time for fishing nations to make a commitment towards the sustainability of our oceans. More than 80% of the world’s fisheries have been, or are being pushed beyond their limits and are in dire need of strict management plans. Populations of fish and elasmobranch fish such as tuna, grouper and sharks have been declining to the point where the survival
The MLPA was response to public pressure for more ocean protection. Protecting of natural marine ecosystem services requires that managers find a way maintaining the health of coastal and
In 2009, Dr. Sylvia Earle wrote The World is Blue to educate and alert the reader about human impacts on marine ecosystems. Through this book she conveys her passion and methodical arguments concerning the importance of the conservation of the ocean, which encompasses approximately 80 percent of the earth’s surface. Dr. Earle states “the ocean touches you with every breath you take, every drop of water you drink, every bite you consume” (17). This statement emphasizes the significance of the ocean, not only for marine life, but all life forms on earth. The book implies that currently in today’s world, the conservation of the ocean requires a global effort to reduce human damage from the past generations. Using facts gleaned from credible scientific resources, she defines the problems of overfishing, bycatch, and pollution. By analyzing human impacts on marine ecosystems, Dr. Earle determines successful and unsuccessful solutions to these problems and suggests various ways individuals can change their lifestyles to reduce impact on the environment as a whole.
The only way we can get a full picture of state of our oceans and an idea of how to better manage them is through scientific exploration and research. This scientific work costs money and at the time of the councils recommendations, funding was only half of what they believed to be a sufficient amount to fully study the oceans. Money is a maker or breaker in many aspects of research. Without funds the ability to produce needed data is extremely handicapped. With appropriate funding one of the ways the US Ocean council suggests
Water is without a doubt the most important matter on the planet. Earth is more than seventy percent water, and it is hard to believe that the Earth would exist without all of that water. Being the most important matter on the planet, it should be protected. Over the past years, oceans are increasingly dying out across the world. The main reason this is happening is due to us, the human race. Life inside the ocean is being drastically harmed by our tendencies to litter, pollute, contaminate and even fish. Fish are extremely important to the sea, and without them our oceans would be dying out even faster. Fish breathe in the oxygen in the water, and let out carbon dioxide allowing them to survive under water along with helping corals and many other sea creatures as well. A huge issue going on across the world are the number of corals that are dying. Coral depend on fish to help them survive, and the main reason they are dying is because the fish are dying. Fish across the world are increasingly being wiped out, and soon enough there will be no fish left at all. The main reason these fish are being wiped out, is because of our fishing habits. Across the globe we are fishing at a more than efficient rate, and it seems as if there is never enough fish to have stored up. Excessive overfishing is one of the many
Humans are very destructive when it comes to the ocean or basically anything they touch. We are just made to consume and die. Mainly focusing on marine type interactions, I will be explaining why humans don’t deserve the land that they live on.
The ocean it covers over 70 percent of the earth’s surface and more than 500 million people go to its surface during the summer yet we have not seen 95 percent of the surface in detail. This is where oceaogahers come into play. An oceanographer is someone who studies the ocean whether it is to find a pocket of oil deep in the ocean or to find new species of fish deep down in the sea or the migratory patterns of fish for fishermen to be able to catch that type of fish all year.
Have you ever went to the beach? Swam in the ocean? Or are you scared of sharks? Well, sharks should be the least of your worries. Studies show that 95% of the ocean has not been discovered. No one knows what is lurking below the water's surface.
Since the beginning of the human race, the ocean has been a major source of food. People near the shores have been taking of advantage of the ocean’s rich and diverse source of nourishment for centuries, both as a source of food and a livelihood. However, since the dawn of the industrial age, humans have begun to take from the ocean more that it can give. As a result, the ocean can no longer provide the human race with the abundance that it once did. As technology rapidly advances, populations skyrocket, and global warming spreads havoc, the ocean’s biodiversity and once abundant supply of fish is dwindling, calling marine scientists and experts to race to find solutions that will restore the oceans health while battling world hunger.
It was Mihaljo Mesarovic, the author of “Mankind at the Turning Point”, who once said “The Earth has cancer and the cancer is man”. He was definitely onto something. In fact, humans have had a major negative impact on the world’s marine environment. Throughout recent human history, it has been obvious that the wellbeing of the marine environment has been in jeopardy. Pollution of the ocean, overfishing and the greenhouse gases these are all the aspects that can cause the destroying of the precious environments, such as reefs, sea-grass and coastal habitats. According to the essay and interview “Seafarming at the End of the World”, written by Peter Meehan, he presents the fact that human impact on the ocean is the main reason that causes the awful situation of marine ecosystem and organisms.
Marine biologist play a key role in understanding climate change and identifying sustainable and profitable ways humans can use the sea and its resources. Marine biologist understand marine organisms needs in their habitats, ultimately helping protect species and reduce human threats. As experts in understanding marine habitats, marine biologist often form essential parts of relief teams. They respond to oil spills and chemical leaks, helping other scientist restore normalcy to local habitats. Sometimes, marine biologists influence other spheres, such as economics and law. They might analyze the effect of sonar on whales and seals, for instance, recommending best practices for reducing harm on those sensitive populations. Marine biologists understand how the ocean supports basic needs, and in turn relay that information to lawmakers, who establish protocols regarding human use of ocean waters and marine organisms. Marine biologist help develop ocean technology too, improving waste elimination, energy sourcing and extraction of key sources. A brief review of components of the marine environment, world food resources, climate control, air and water quality, transportation, and the ecosystem balance are important features that are studied by marine biology. So, understanding why marine biology is important is foundational to integrating a balanced approach toward management of the sea and proper stewardship of organisms,