... "Saving The Baltic Sea", continued from page 6
The countries around the Baltic Sea are very dependant on it. For example, Latvia’s economy is partially dependant on the tourism that the sea’s beaches attracts (Source: Latvian Tourism Development Agency). Many of the surrounding countries also fish in the sea (Kasper)¹¹. This reflects our heavily-dependant planet in which fishing employs 200 million people worldwide (Ecopol)⁹. That large number also excludes the restaurant owners and other working people who are connected to the fishing industry.
The problem may be hard to see because, firstly, the fish are traveling nearer to the surface for the oxygen they need, as mentioned before. Consequently, the populations seem denser, when really they are more prone to overfishing from predators and commercial fisheries (Kasper)¹¹. Similar situations make hypoxia a hidden issue, but it is one that needs immediate attention.
It is important to remember that individuals and communities alike suffer when the environment suffers. Ocean dead zones are entirely reducible and can even be eliminated with a change in farming practices or increased consciousness about pollution and global climate change. See our solutions page for more ways to help.
The video above shows dead zones in the Baltic Sea while following a fish that has been affected.