- world Bank
Every year, the ocean economy has an estimated turnover of between US$3 and 6 trillion.
This includes employment, ecosystem services provided by the ocean, and cultural services. It is also estimated that fisheries and aquaculture contribute $US100 billion per year and about 260 million jobs to the global economy.
However, the marine Life is also being hampered with the Humans and they are threatening the ecosystem of oceans as large amount of waste is being dumped into seas and oceans
According to a study published in Wildlife
Conservation Society only 13 percent of the planets are untouched by Humans.
The only unaffected portions are in Pacific Ocean around poles. These are
following issues to which are causes of concern for Marine life:
1. Dead Zones- Increase in dead zones also remains a matter
of concern. Dead zones are the areaswhere no oxygen is found that means no
microbial process take place and the ocean does not get nitrogen in absence of mycobacteria.
60,000 square kilometer dead zone is found in the middle of Bay of Bengal.
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| The Dead Zone in Bay of Bengal |
2. Climate Change- Climate change is also making some changes
in marine habitations where species are losing their habitats. Global fishing
economy is on the verge of collapse
3. Growing Human
Population- This factor is often neglected that
humans are over populated, so there consumption needs are higher. The basic
nature of the balance in nature is disturbed due to rise in human Population.
Humans
are growing in population as well as leaving their foot print everywhere.
Fishing also could not be untouched. 90 % of world’s fish stock is already
fully fished, overfished or depleted. Nearly 1/3 of marine stock is exploited
beyond biologically sustainable levels.
4- Ocean Acidification- Growing industrial and
agricultural activities are leading to the factors for ocean acidification.
5.
Plastic pollution:
Plastic consumption is on rise, and this threatens the marine life. Micro
plastic which humans use in bathroom in form of facial scrub etc. this ends
into oceans and affects marine life.
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| Plastic Pollution at Beach |
The
world and Indian Scenario
Industrial fishing Areas are also
growing and almost half of the ocean is used of fishing. Asia is dumping
synthetic trash in Sea, India’s coastal areas are exploited with plastic
pollution.
Indian Government’s only attention is
given to the ocean energy and seabed mineral resources. Mining seabed will
occur exploitation of marine species as well; there is no plan for marine life
conservation as well.
Remedies
There are more than one ways that should be tried to prevent exploitation of Marine resources including fishes.
- Establishment of protected Spaces- the United Nation that setting sanctuaries in the oceans will help in improving fish stocks.
- SDG -14 calls for sustainable use of marine resources but a little has been done. The proper implementation of SDG is the need of hour.
- In South Asia most significant damage to natural habitat is in Bay of Bengal, where licenses fishing activity has led to sharp decline in fish stock.
- The states alongside Bay of Bengal should be more aware into protecting marine resources.
- Small fishermen get subsidies which sometimes lead to overfishing. Therefore, the reasonable amount of subsidies should be decided.
- The government alone can not help in preventing such things- The community participation, involvement of youth, and NGO's should be included.
- The most importantly - there should be proper planning of population control. The earth can not bear more unsustainable population of humans as well.
Ultimately everyone has to understand, after exploitation of all natural resources, human species will also not survive.
