Environment
Our life on this planet depends on oxygen, and
70% of this is provided by the oceans. Yet it is our
oceans which are the most affected by pollution,
habitat destruction and overfishing.
Marine conservation is a response to biological
questions such as extinction and changing
marine habitats. It is the study of conserving
physical and biological marine resources and
ecosystem functions. Marine conservationists
are based on a combination of scientific
principles derived from marine biology,
oceanography and fisheries science and
human factors such as demand for marine
resources and maritime law, economics and
policies to determine how to protect and
better conserve marine resources, species
and ecosystems.
Coral reefs are the epicentre of huge amounts
of biodiversity and are a key element in the
survival of an entire ecosystem. They are an
integral part in maintaining human life through
serving as a food source as well as a place for
marine ecotourism which provides economic
benefits. Furthermore, humans are conducting
research on the use coral as potential new
sources for pharmaceuticals such as steroids
and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Oceans
Taking Care of our
Adrian Vallenilla
The biggest threats to the reefs include
overfishing, destructive fishing practices,
sedimentation and pollution from land-based
sources. This, along with increasing carbon in
oceans, coral bleaching and disease, means
there are no pristine reefs anywhere in the
world. Up to 88% of coral reefs in Southeast
Asia are now threatened, with 50% of reefs
at "high" or "very high" risk of disappearance,
which will directly affect biodiversity and the
survival of species dependent on coral.
One way to stop this cycle is to educate local
communities about why marine conservation
areas including coral reefs, are important.
Once local communities understand the
personal stakes, then they will fight to preserve
the reefs.
Although humans cause the greatest threat
to the marine environment, they have the
ability to create effective management plans
which will be the key to successful marine
conservation. One of the best tools for marine
conservation comes from smarter individual
choices with efforts to reduce the daily
emissions of CO 2. Other techniques include
developing sustainable fisheries and restoring
the populations of endangered species.
Another focus of conservationists is to
restrict human activities which are harmful to
marine ecosystems or species. Education is
the key. Tourists should be educated about
regulations regarding the marine habitat. An
example of this is a project called Green Fins,
based in Southeast Asia, which uses the diving
industry to educate the public. This project,
implemented by UNEP, encourages dive
operators to educate their students about
the importance of marine conservation and
encourage them to dive in a respectful way
to the environment, which does not damage
coral reefs and associated marine ecosystems.
Extinct and endangered species
Sea mammals
Whales were predominantly hunted from 1600
through to the mid-1900s and were almost
extinct before a global ban on commercial
whaling was put into effect in 1896. The
Atlantic grey whale, last seen in 1740, is now
extinct due to whale hunting. Since the 1960s
the world's monk seal population has been
declining rapidly. The Hawaiian monk seals
and Mediterranean seals are considered
among the most threatened marine mammals
on the planet, according to NOAA. The last
sighting of the Caribbean monk seal was in
1952 and has now been confirmed extinct.
The Vaquita porpoise has become the most
threatened marine species. More than half of
the population has disappeared since 2012,
leaving only 100 in 2014. The Vaquita often
drowns in fishing nets, which are used illegally
in marine protected areas.
Sea Turtles
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