Another report proclaiming how critically stressed Earth’s oceans remain-
The WWF posted reports on Twitter today that caught my attention, and reminded me of the post I wrote last year for World Oceans Day. I Thought it would be interesting to open this conversation again.
WWF Report 2015: RevivingOceanEconomy-REPORT-lowres conclusion:
Ocean health is declining due to local stresses such as habitat destruction, overfishing and pollution as well as rapid and unprecedented changes in ocean temperature and acidity.The message is clear. We are running down our ocean assets and will push the ocean economy into the red if we do not respond to this crisis with bold and decisive actions as an international community. We must do more, much more, to protect our ocean asset base. A prudent treasurer or CEO would not wait until the next financial report to correct course. They would act now.
We are all members of the “international community.”
- What do WE see as local stresses to the oceans?
- How do you see yourself as an agent for change?
- What concerns you enough to take action?
Look to the Ocean –
Whether you
Stand on a beach -or-
Turn to a photo…
Find the the sea today.
Then…
Take a long, penetrating, thoughtful gaze.
Find something in that moment…
That causes-
CONCERN.
Learn more.
Find a way to make
even the smallest difference…
it profoundly matters…
This is the photo that brought CONCERN to me.
The profound question came to mind, “What do the seal and the fishing boat have in common?”
Okay, the answer is obvious: both rely on fish for their existence.
But here is the CONCERN-
Ocean fish populations are highly stressed by world-wide demand. That alone is of concern. But, in a study published in the journal, Marine Policy, a report exposes heightened stress due to “pirate fishing.” Technically known as IUU fishing- Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing.
“It ensnares seafood companies, supermarkets, and consumers alike in a trade that is arguable as problematic as trafficking in elephant tusks, rhino horns, and tiger bones.”
Seafood could well be on its way to becoming an unsustainable food source. Alarming statistics, details about who the “prirates” are, and responses by European nations, United States government, and the International Maritime Organization are described in an article written for Environment 360, the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies website.
Unsustainable Seafood: A New
Crackdown on Illegal Fishing
As this problem is being sorted out, what can we as consumers do? The article suggests that we play a role by asking retailers to display the country of origin for the seafood they sell.
Among the egregious violations, according to the study:
- 40% tuna imported to U.S. from Thailand is illegal or unreported
- 45% pollock imports from China
- 70% of salmon imports- likely caught in Russian waters, but transshipped at sea and processed in China
- Likely- wild shrimp from Mexico, Indonesia, and Ecuador are also more likely to be illegal.
I encourage you to read the article, share your thoughts. In the meantime, I plan to better monitor who, what, where I purchase fish. It’s not only for my well-being… but also for that of the seal in my photo and other creatures who also rely on oceans for… FISH.
I agree – the consumer can make a difference by making a stand and in support of ethical suppliers and the restaurants. Here http://www.WWFsassi.co.za run an app on which species are sustainable to consume, and which are vulnerable.
Here in our bay we have a new ‘stock’ which is being exploited – trapping octopus. There’s concern that no studies have been made to see how it impacts the species (seals, otters) which prey on them and what happens to the food chain when there’s a link missing.
Liz, there just seems to be no end to the exploitation of nature. Without studies, it seems safe to say that the impacts will not be positive ones. Sad to hear about the trapping of octopus in your bay…
Going to click on your link now. Thank you for sharing.