Understanding the Ocean

(NOAA Photo Library, 2009)

Hope Turner

25/01/2010

Introduction...................................................................................................3

The Past........................................................................................................3

The Present..................................................................................................3

Geology/Weather..........................................................................................5

Biodiversity....................................................................................................6

Biological Health...........................................................................................8

Loss of Habitat..............................................................................................8

Species under threat...................................................................................12

Completeness of knowledge.......................................................................12

Conservation Policy....................................................................................13

Legislation...................................................................................................14

The Missing Link.........................................................................................14

The Future..................................................................................................15

What the average man in the street can do to help....................................15

Conclusion..................................................................................................16

References..................................................................................................17

Ocean piracy and pollution leads to mass extinction.

Introduction

Around 71% of our planet is Ocean, it is the birth place of life on earth and the

main reason it continues to survive, and yet with all the research performed to

date, less is known about our Oceans than about space; the Ocean is “the

least explored frontier on earth” (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 2009).

The Past

Over billions of years the oceans evolved into a veritable cornucopia, teaming

with life, well before land mammals existed, there were plants, corals,

sponges and jellyfish in the clear waters of the ocean. For 150 million years

life on Earth only existed in the sea, quite recently, around 1 million years ago,

man began commensalism with other marine dependent life. In 1839 Sir

James Clark Ross took the first depth sounding of the ocean floor, and from

then sea exploration began (Carson, 1955).

The Present

In the last fifty years man has eaten, or incidentally killed as a side effect of

fishing 90% of all the big fish, (for every pound of fish at the market, 10-100

hundred are thrown away as bycatch), and been responsible for the

disappearance of half of the coral reefs (Earle, 2009). This has decimated the

food chain (see Figure 1) and brought about the ecological extinction of any

marine life over 2 foot long. Trawlers (see Figure 2) the largest of which have

nets big enough to house 13 747’s (Clover, 2009), have ripped away a forest

of life and corals from the sea floor, leaving a bleak wasteland, and all the

worlds’ large estuaries have become “dead zones”.

Figure 1 (Pauly, 1998)

Figure 2 (Clover, 2006)

Through industrial pollution, the pumping of our oceans full of farming

excrement, fertiliser, garbage and oil, in only 100 years we have turned 97%

of the earths water to acid; and set back ocean evolution 1.5 billion years.

(Jackson, 2007)

Geology/Weather

The sea beds are hilly if not mountainous with great trenches and one

exception, in the Indian Ocean, where it is flat for several hundred miles; they

are mostly granite except where a large chunk was ripped away and became

the moon. The moons’ gravitational pull governs the tides, the ocean currents

(see Map 1) govern the planets weather. (Carson, 1991) The raise in

temperature of the oceans through global warming is what is causing the un-

usual weather systems the world is currently facing (hurricanes, tsunamis,

freak snow storms etc.).

Map 1 (Carson, 1991)

Biodiversity

Life in the oceans ranges from microscopic plankton, producing 66% of the

worlds oxygen, to the largest animals on earth, (the Blue Whale); of life known

on Earth almost 50% live in the Ocean. (NOAA, N.D.)

Arctic life, is depicted here in Figure 3 :

Figure 3 (Arctic Ocean Diversity, 2009)

Marine Biodiversity:

Phylum

o Porifera - Sponges

o Cnidaria - Hydriods, Anemones, Corals, Jellies

o Annelida - Worms

o Arthopoda - Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, Copepods, Krill

o Mollusca - Octopi, squid, snails, nudibranchs,

bivalves

o Echinodermata - Sea Stars, Urchins and Cucumbers

Marine

o Fish - Eel, Shark, etc

o Mammals - Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions & Otters

o Birds

o Reptiles - Turtles

Seaweeds - Algae

Zooplankton

(Ocean Link, N.D.)

Ocean biodiversity is affected by human exploitation, pollution and habitat

destruction, and the effect of climate change on biogeochemistry (Worm et al.,

2006).

Biological Health

The coastal population is under threat due to a rise in sea levels resulting

from the melting ice caps, this is also reducing ocean salinity and having

effects on all sea life.

Pesticides and fertilizer pollution are reducing oxygen concentration, killing

marine plants and shellfish.

Sewage and other industrial waste is polluting our oceans, including oil spills

and water-sewage treatment plants, pumping in twice the amount of oil that

tankers spill each year.

Industrialization pollutes the air, this falls in rain poisoning fish and plants.

Over fishing disrupts oceanic homeostasis, for if humans have taken all the

food, what are all other sea dependent life supposed to eat?

Military use of sonar is harming and killing whales and other marine

mammals. (National Geographic, 2010)

Loss of Habitat

Whilst the oceans are not getting smaller, in fact sea levels are rising (see

Figure 4), the habitable areas are diminishing. Coastal “Dead Zones” (see

Figure 5) have increased in size and frequency, and the “greenhouse effect”,

is increasing Ocean temperature, (see Figure 6) and CO2 content, turning the

oceans acidic (see Figure 7) (National Geographic, 2010).

Figure 4 (Richardson et al., 2009)

Figure 5 (UNEP, 2006)

Figure 6 (Richardson et al., 2009)

Figure 7 (Richardson et al., 2009)

Recently more and more deep sea fish, thought to be long extinct (e.g.

Coelacanth, Frill Sharks etc.) have been discovered out of their normal

habitat, implying problems at depth.

Land conservation efforts have established national parks and reserves,

accounting for 12% of landmass, however only 0.8 of 1% of the oceans are

protected, (Earle, 2009) although that refers to over 4000 reserves. (Clover,

2009)

Species under threat

Around 36% of known marine mammals are threatened with extinction,

however the simple fact is that the technology is not yet available to survey

the worlds oceans properly and therefore knowledge of the full extent of life

there simply does not exist, new species are being identified at a surprising

rate. Current estimates are that 25% of mammals are threatened and 50% of

mammal numbers are declining (Schipper et al. 2008).

90% of the worlds fish have disappeared in the last 50 years, (Jackson, 2007)

the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report that from

1950 to 2006 fishing has increased from 20 to 100 million tons a year (SOFIA,

2008).

Completeness of knowledge

Of the marine species currently identified, only 66% have been validated,

(WORMS, 2010) if this much data is missing on known species, missing

knowledge could be of galactic proportions. Over 95% of the earths oceans

remain unexplored (NOAA, N.D.), which makes any data on overall

biodiversity, health and sustainability simply the tip of the iceberg.

In the year 2000, 250,000 species of marine life had been documented,

however the estimates of species as yet unknown varied from 1-100 million.

(Crist, Scowcroft & Harding, 2009) The first census of marine life is due to

complete this year and is being presented on October 4th 2010 in London, this

will specify a decade of research and provide more concise insight into what is

known about our oceans. (Census of Marine Life, 2010)

This colossal undertaking takes into account animal life found at up to 3 miles

below sea level in fourteen field projects, (Census of Marine Life, 2009) but

still cannot possibly account for what is really needed, a ‘snap-shot’ of life

beneath the waves.

Conservation Policy

At the recent Climate Conference in Copenhagen government talks aimed at

the creation of a new policy to replace the Kyoto Protocol, due to end in 2012.

Aims to reduced Carbon Dioxide levels to 350 ppm (parts per million), (before

industrialisation levels were 275 ppm) are to be actioned. (University of

Copenhagan, 2009)

At the conference three general conclusions were made:

“1) The warming trend and increasing emission of CO2 and other greenhouse

gases (GHG) are already affecting environmental conditions and biota in the

oceans on a global scale.

2) We cannot fully anticipate the magnitude and depth that these effects will

reach in the near future, and we do not understand the mechanism and

processes that convert individual responses of single species into shifts in the

functioning regime of marine ecosystems.

3) We need to maintain the existing time-series, establish additional ones in

some regions, conduct more experimental research, and develop more

complex and higher resolution models.” (Valdés, 2009)

In essence scientists don’t know, how much they don’t know, and therefore

can only act on the obvious.

Legislation

Where cod fishing was banned in Canada in 1992, lobster populations have

exploded, but the cod has still not recovered. House of Lords findings suggest

that 50% of Cod purchased has been illegally fished.

Blue fin Tuna became an endangered species in 1996, scientist

recommendations on annual catches is no more than 15,000 tons in order to

sustain the population, preferably 10,000 tons, knowing this the EU set levels

at almost 30,000 tons, however what is actually being fished is closer to

61,000 tons. In other words, EU legislation is not being policed and is not

working.

In Alaska there is a 200 mile fishing ban which is strictly policed, whilst

overfishing there is estimated at 10%, this is significantly less than in the

Northern sea where it is estimated at 50%. (Clover, 2009)

The Missing Link

Research with regard to water condition and the effects of global warming and

pollution on our seas is under way, even so far as what effect noise pollution

is having on the communication and navigation of marine inhabitants (Ocean

Conservation Research, 2007). However, all current research can only be

based on what is known exists, and therefore the fall out of the effects on

what is unknown, and the subsequent consequences cannot possibly be

quantified.

So how to obtain knowledge on the unknown? How can plans be made to

learn about a void of information, and what is required in order to correct the

current issues?

Scientists can only guess. It is known which areas of the oceans are un-

explored, however the technology needs to be developed first in order to be

able to discover what is there. It is of course human development of

technology through industry which has lead to this imbalance in the first place.

The Future

The question has become not if the oceans will stratify, but when; with an

acidic anoxic layer at depth only able to sustain microbes, and a dead zone at

the surface housing mainly jellyfish; leading inextricably to mass extinction.

Toxic algae (Pfiesteria) is already carpeting the ocean floors, suffocating

everything in its path, and causing serious disease and death in fin fish,

shellfish, and aquatic mammals. Oyster beds, the sea’s filters are gone. Even

if all fishing and pollution stopped, and global warming was reversed

tomorrow, the big fish could not be saved from extinction. (Jackson, 2007)

What the average man in the street can do to help

Only buy/eat fish labelled as sustainably sourced by the Marine

Stewardship Council

Minimize your Carbon and Greenhouse Gas Imprint

Recycle

Consider donation/ joining campaigns towards conservation efforts

Encourage others to do the same

Conclusion

The largest biome on the planet has an incredible range of life from

microscopic to gigantic. Without Earths large bodies of water life would not

exist here as humans know it; but the oceans are dying, which is in turn

destroying the world life depends on.

Humans have evolved into earths’ custodians, but our technical and industrial

advances to feed and provide luxury for our population explosion, and

ignorance of its consequences, has irreversibly damaged our oceans. This

planet appears to be on a path to self destruction, where the impact of our

actions have diseased its circulatory system, the reversal of which is of life

threatening necessity.

The question now becomes how to heal something when the full extent of

how it functions, or even the full extent of life within it is not known.

In order to protect 20-30% of the worlds oceans as part of linked reserves, the

cost would be less than the annual fishing subsidies given to those who are

over fishing. Fishing quotas recommended by scientists need to be adhered

to and enforced by EU Government.(Clover, 2009)

Significantly more resources need to be applied to oceanic exploration,

species identification, and how to maintain healthy homeostasis of the oceans

in order to protect their and our future.

References

Arctic Ocean Biodiversity., 2009, Arctic Ocean Biodiversity. Census of Marine

Life, From: http://www.arcodiv.org/ (accessed 30/01/2009)

Carson, R. L., 1955, The Sea Around Us, Staples Printers Limited, Kent (p 1-

15)

Carson, R. L., 1991, The Sea, Paladin, London, (p64, 132-133)

Census of Marine Life, 2010, A Decade of Discovery, from:

http://www.coml.org (accessed 27/01/2010)

Census of Marine Life, 2009, The Deep Sea World Beyond Sunlight, from:

http://www.coml.org/comlfiles/press/CoML_Beyond_Sunlight_11.17.2009_Pu

blic.pdf (accessed 27/01/2010)

Clover, C., 2006, End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and

What We Eat, The New Press, New York , from:

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/oceans/problems/beam-trawlers-destroying-

the-seabed (accessed 29/01/2010)

Clover, C., 2009, The End of the Line, DVD, Dogwoof Pictures, London

Crist, D. T., Scowcroft, G., Harding, J. M., 2010, World Ocean Census - A

Global Survey of Marine Life, Firefly Books, Ontario, from:

http://www.fireflybooks.com/bookdetail&ean=9781554074341# (accessed

27/01/2009)

Earle, S., 2009, How to Protect the Oceans, Presentation upon winning the

TED Prize for being an exceptional individual, at Long Beach, California

Jackson, J., 2007, Brave New Ocean, University Channel Presentation, New

Jersey

National Geographic, 2010, Oceans & Ocean Threats, from:

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/ocean-

profile.html &

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/habitats/ocean-

threats/ (accessed 26/01/2010)

NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), N.D. Ocean,

Washington DC, from:// http://www.noaa.gov/ocean.html

NOAA Photo Library, 2009, Snapper Over Coral, from:

http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/htmls/sanc0201.htm (30/01/2010)

Ocean Conservation Research, 2007, Mission Statement, from:

http://ocr.org/about/mission.htm (accessed 27/01/2010)

Ocean Link, N. D., Exploring Marine Biodiversity, from:

http://oceanlink.island.net/biodiversity/marine_index.html (accessed

30/01/2010)

Pauly, D., 1998, Fishing Down Marine Food Webs’ as an Integrative Concept,

ACP – EU Fisheries Research Report Number 5, (p8) from:

http://oceanworld.tamu.edu/resources/oceanography-book/marinefoodwebs.ht

m (accessed 30/01/2010)

SOFIA, 2008, The State of the World Fisheries and Aquaculture, Food and

Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, Rome, from:

ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/011/i0250e/i0250e01.pdf (accessed 27/01/2010)

Schipper, J. et al. 2008, The Status of the World’s Land and Marine

Mammals: Diversity, Threat and Knowledge, Science Magazine, V 322, No

5899, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Washington

DC, (p 225-230)

Richardson, K. et al., 2009, Synthesis Report – Climate Change, Global

Risks, Challenges & Decisions, University of Copenhagan - International

Alliance of Research Universities, Denmark, from:

http://climatecongress.ku.dk/pdf/synthesisreport (accessed 29/01/2010)

UNEP, 2008, 2006 Global Dead Zones, from:

http://www.grid.unep.ch/product/map/images/ew_deadzonesb.en.jpg

(accessed 29/01/2010)

Valdés, L., 2009, Conclusions Following the International Symposium ‘Effects

of Climate Change on the World’s Oceans’, IOP Conf. Series: Earth and

Environmental Science 6 (2009) 032019, IOP Publishing, Bristol, from:

http://www.iop.org/EJ/article/1755-1315/6/3/032019/ees9_6_032019.pdf?

request-id=cfd9c27e-0519-406c-9874-0a6629cc0cce (accessed 29/01/2010)

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, 2009, Associates Program, from:

http://www.whoi.edu/goblue/, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute,

Massachusetts

Worm, B. et al., 2006, Impacts of Biodiversity Loss on Ocean Ecosystem

Services, Science Magazine, V 312 no 5800, American Association for the

Advancement of Science, Washington DC, (p 787-790)

WORMS,2010, WoRMS Statistics, from:

http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=stats (accessed 27/01/2010)