He June 8th It is the World Ocean DayThis year’s theme is “The Ocean: Life and Livelihood.”
We must be aware that the ocean provides us with at least half of the oxygen produced in the world, is home to 90 percent of the planet's biodiversity and covers 70 percent of its surface. In addition, it has an influence on weather and climate phenomena and is home to amazing species that make their home there. The ocean provides us with a wealth of benefits and helps us sustain ourselves, and that is why, now more than ever, we must protect it.
THE OCEANS
More than half of the waters in the oceans and seas are exempt from regulations or laws; they are international waters, so the management of the biodiversity that inhabits them or the state of the ocean is not a priority or a “problem” for anyone.
The environmental crisis is having a devastating impact on ocean waters, putting the biodiversity that inhabits them at critical risk. It is becoming increasingly difficult to confront the climate threat caused by pollution and overproduction, and the consequences are therefore increasingly serious. Almost 100% of large fish stocks have been practically destroyed, and half of the coral reefs have already disappeared.
Global warming is already 1 percent above pre-industrial levels, resulting in warmer, more acidic oceans that are less habitable. Data show that the ocean absorbs virtually all the heat from the climate ecosystem. In addition, the melting of ice blocks in glaciers is causing sea levels to rise, which will also have negative effects on the species that inhabit them and on humans, as natural disasters are, and will become, increasingly common and will affect cities that are just a few meters above sea level and small islands.
On the other hand, the increase in tourism is also a factor that alters the state of ocean waters, which host 80% of the world's tourism. Maritime trade also influences seas and oceans, as thousands of ships navigate salt waters every day transporting goods. The trail of pollution can be seen from space. The consequences of maritime transport of goods are water and biodiversity pollution and noise pollution.
Another great enemy of the sea is the plastic, a substance that does not decompose, is not eliminated, and if it is not recycled, ends up in the sea. Today there is no ocean without plastic, from the surface to the seabed, passing through the stomachs of the species that inhabit it.
THE BLUE WHALE
This large mammal, classified as the largest animal on the planet, which lives in all the world's oceans and communicates with sounds indecipherable to the human ear, is in serious danger despite having been under protection for decades.
There are numerous reasons for this state of vulnerability. One of them is accidental captures, when whales fall into the fishing nets of ships without being the main target of fishermen. The North Atlantic right whale and the Arabian Sea humpback whale are the main ones affected, however, there are many species that are involved in accidental captures, such as dolphins or porpoises.
On the other hand, the climate change It is also a factor that justifies the threat to the survival of whales. The increase in water temperature and the melting of glaciers and sea ice seriously affect whales that live in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, because they are “equipped” with a layer of fat that protects them from the cold; but if it is not cold, they are too hot. On the other hand, waste from the oil and textile industries, from sea ports or landfills also seriously affect the life of cetaceans, which see their natural habitat reduced or contaminated, and suffer physical damage such as hearing loss. In addition, the particles of chemical products that remain in the environment and are displaced by air currents, stabilize when they reach the Arctic area. Low temperatures and the absence of bacterial activity prevent these contaminants from disintegrating and they accumulate progressively and incessantly in the tissues of whales.
Whales are also used in some countries to sell their meat and oil. This practice was born two centuries ago, and although the hunting and commercial use of whales has been prohibited by law since 1986, it is still done in places such as Norway, Iceland and Japan, and they do so under the questionable argument that it is done for scientific research.
SHARKS
Sharks are leaders in the food chain and play a key role in ocean conservation. They are also one of the largest ocean species in critical condition. Studies show that the shark population has declined by more than 70 percent over the past 50 years. According to University of Exeter researcher Richard Sherley, for every 10 sharks inhabiting the oceans in 1970, there are now three.
The main cause has been overfishing; sharks are harvested for their meat, fins and liver oil. They are also targeted by recreational fisheries and also victims of massive fishing nets. Ocean fishing has increased the pressure on these species 18-fold since 1970.
The most vulnerable shark species are the hammerhead, whitetip and great hammerhead sharks. In addition, these populations have the lowest percentage of laws and regulations for the protection of marine species.
SEALS
This animal, which has always been hunted by fur hunters, is now hunted by climate change. Seal mortality has increased greatly due to global warming, with the latest data revealing that in Canada, in 2020, eight out of ten newborn seals died due to the high temperatures recorded. Seal pups grow on ice sheets, but the Atlantic Ocean has decreased its amount of ice by 20 percent. Every year, 300,000 baby seals are allowed to be hunted for their fur, which also makes their reproduction and survival difficult.
Taking care of the ocean and its biodiversity is vitally important so that we can continue to be thrilled by seeing a whale breaking the surface or the white fur of a seal diving into the water. If there are no sharks, what will inspire the next Steven Spielberg to create a masterpiece?
There are solutions to every problem, and by working together we will be able to overcome all the obstacles we encounter along the way.
Happy Ocean Day!
