Below are some of the issues I chose to look at for my story. The photographs are information boards from my Bournemouth Aquarium trip
Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems face a myriad of challenges and threats, many of which are interconnected and exacerbate one another. Some of the most important issues are listed below:
Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and changes in weather patterns associated with climate change have significant impacts on marine ecosystems. These changes can disrupt the distribution and abundance of marine species, alter habitats such as coral reefs and kelp forests, and contribute to extreme weather events.
Overfishing, illegal fishing, and destructive fishing practices such as bottom trawling can deplete fish stocks, disrupt marine food webs, and damage habitats. Unsustainable fishing practices also have economic and social implications for coastal communities reliant on fisheries for food and livelihoods.
Marine pollution from sources such as plastic debris, oil spills, agricultural runoff, and industrial waste poses a grave threat to marine ecosystems. Pollution can harm marine life through ingestion, entanglement, habitat destruction, and contamination of food webs. It also degrades water quality and compromises the health of coastal and marine habitats.
Human activities such as coastal development, dredging, habitat modification, and coral mining can destroy or degrade critical marine habitats such as coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, and wetlands. Loss of habitat reduces biodiversity, diminishes ecosystem services, and undermines the resilience of marine ecosystems to environmental stressors.
Introduction of non-native species through ballast water discharge, aquaculture, and shipping activities can disrupt native ecosystems and outcompete native species for resources. Invasive species can alter food webs, reduce biodiversity, and negatively impact ecosystem functioning and services.
Increased carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the atmosphere are absorbed by the oceans, leading to ocean acidification. Acidification can harm marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells or skeletons, such as corals, shellfish, and planktonic organisms, by inhibiting their ability to form and maintain their calcium carbonate structures.
Nutrient pollution from agricultural runoff and wastewater discharge can lead to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs can produce toxins harmful to marine life and humans, degrade water quality, deplete oxygen levels, and disrupt marine ecosystems.
Human activities such as habitat destruction, overfishing, and climate change are driving declines in marine biodiversity. Loss of biodiversity can weaken ecosystem resilience, reduce ecosystem services, and diminish the ability of marine ecosystems to adapt to environmental change.
Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing undermines fisheries management efforts, threatens fish stocks, and contributes to overexploitation of marine resources. It also fuels organized crime, undermines food security, and deprives coastal communities of economic opportunities.
Weak governance, inadequate regulations, and lack of enforcement contribute to the degradation of marine ecosystems. Strengthening marine governance frameworks, enhancing international cooperation, and improving enforcement mechanisms are essential for sustainable management and conservation of marine resources.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution in the sea is a critical environmental issue with far-reaching consequences.
Plastic pollution in the sea is immense, with millions of tons of plastic entering the oceans every year. It’s estimated that there are over 5 trillion pieces of plastic in the world’s oceans, with some regions densely populated with plastic debris.
Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, leading to ingestion and entanglement. This can result in internal injuries, starvation and death. Species ranging from small fish to large mammals are affected by plastic pollution, disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity.
Plastics in the ocean can break down into smaller particles called microplastics, which can be ingested by marine organisms and eventually enter the human food chain through seafood consumption, the health impacts of ingesting microplastics are still being studied, but there are concerns about potential harm to human health.
Plastic pollution not only harms marine life but also damages marine ecosystems and habitats. Coral reefs, for example, can be smothered by plastic debris, leading to decreased oxygen levels and increased susceptibility to diseases.
The economic costs of plastic pollution are significant, including impacts on industries such as fishing, tourism and shipping. Cleanup efforts also incur substantial expenses for governments, organisations and communities.
Plastic pollution in the sea comes from various sources, including improper waste management, littering, industrial activities and plastic microbeads in personal care products. Addressing plastic pollution requires efforts to reduce plastic production, improve waste management infrastructure, and promote sustainable alternatives.
Since plastic pollution is a global issue, addressing it effectively requires collaboration among governments, industries, NGOs, and individuals worldwide. Initiatives such as the United Nations’ Cleans Seas campaign and regional agreements on marine litter play a crucial role in coordinating efforts to combat plastic pollution.
Raising awareness about the impacts of plastic pollution and promoting behaviour change is essential for addressing the problem. Education initiatives, public campaigns and community engagement can help reduce plastic consumption, promote recycling and encourage responsible waste disposal practices.
Developing innovative solutions and technologies for plastic waste management, such as biodegradable plastics, recycling technologies and ocean cleanup devices, is essential for mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution in the long term.
While systematic changes are necessary to address plastic pollution at its root, individuals also play a crucial role in reducing their plastic footprint through simple actions such as reducing single use plastics, recycling, participating in beach cleanups, and supporting businesses that prioritise sustainability.
Oil Spills
Oil spills in the ocean are significant environmental disasters with wide-ranging impacts.
Oil spills can have devastating effects on marine ecosystems, including fish, seabirds, marine mammals, and coral reefs. Oil coats the feathers of birds and fur of mammals, leading to hypothermia and reduced buoyancy, while also affecting the ability of marine organisms to breathe, feed, and reproduce.
The effects of oil spills can persist for years or even decades. Oil can remain in the environment, harming wildlife and ecosystems long after the initial spill. Some species may take years to recover, while others may never fully recover.
Oil spills can have significant economic impacts on industries such as fishing, tourism, and recreation. Coastal communities reliant on these industries may suffer long-term economic losses due to declines in fish populations, damage to beaches and coastal habitats, and reduced tourism.
Exposure to oil and its toxic components can pose health risks to cleanup workers, residents of affected areas, and consumers of contaminated seafood. Chemicals in oil can cause respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues, particularly for those involved in cleanup efforts.
Oil spills can occur due to various reasons, including tanker accidents, pipeline ruptures, offshore drilling operations, and illegal dumping. Human error, equipment failure, and natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes can all contribute to the occurrence of oil spills.
Oil spills can vary in size from small leaks to large-scale disasters involving millions of gallons of oil. Major oil spills, such as the Exxon Valdez spill in 1989 and the Deepwater Horizon spill in 2010, have had catastrophic impacts on marine environments and coastal communities.
Cleaning up oil spills is a complex and challenging process. Methods such as containment booms, skimmers, dispersants, and controlled burns are used to remove and mitigate the spread of oil. However, these methods can be limited in their effectiveness, especially in rough seas or remote locations.
Preventing oil spills requires effective regulations, enforcement, and industry standards for oil exploration, transportation, and storage. Additionally, emergency response plans and preparedness measures are essential for minimizing the impacts of oil spills when they do occur.
Oil spills often transcend national boundaries, highlighting the need for international cooperation and coordination in response efforts. Agreements such as the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation (OPRC) facilitate cooperation among countries in addressing oil spill emergencies.
As the environmental and economic costs of oil spills become increasingly evident, there is growing recognition of the importance of transitioning towards renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate the risks of future oil spills.
Coral Bleaching
Definition: Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) living within their tissues, causing the coral to turn white or pale. This expulsion of algae deprives the coral of its primary source of nutrition and can lead to coral death if prolonged or severe.
Causes: Coral bleaching is primarily caused by stressors such as increased water temperatures, pollution, sedimentation, overexposure to sunlight (UV radiation), and changes in water chemistry (e.g., ocean acidification). Elevated sea temperatures, often associated with global warming and climate change, are the leading cause of mass coral bleaching events.
High water temperatures can disrupt the symbiotic relationship between corals and their algae, leading to stress-induced bleaching. Even small increases in temperature above normal summer maxima can trigger bleaching events.
Coral bleaching is a global phenomenon affecting reefs in all major oceans. Mass bleaching events have occurred with increasing frequency and severity in recent decades, threatening some of the world's most biodiverse and economically valuable marine ecosystems.
Coral bleaching can have profound ecological consequences, including decreased coral cover, reduced biodiversity, and habitat loss for numerous marine species that rely on coral reefs for food, shelter, and breeding grounds.
Coral reefs provide vital ecosystem services, such as coastal protection, fisheries support, and tourism revenue. Coral bleaching can lead to significant economic losses for coastal communities dependent on reef-based industries, such as fishing and tourism.
While some corals can recover from bleaching events if environmental conditions improve, severe or prolonged bleaching can result in coral mortality and hinder reef recovery. Recovery times can vary depending on factors such as the severity of bleaching, reef resilience, and the availability of suitable environmental conditions.
Certain regions are particularly susceptible to coral bleaching due to factors such as warmer sea temperatures, pollution, and overfishing. These include areas such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Caribbean, the Coral Triangle, and reefs in the Indian Ocean.
Some coral species exhibit greater tolerance or resilience to environmental stressors, offering hope for the long-term survival of coral reefs. Research into coral genetics, physiological adaptations, and reef management strategies aims to enhance reef resilience and promote coral survival in the face of climate change.
Addressing the root causes of coral bleaching requires global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, curb pollution, and protect marine ecosystems. Local conservation efforts, such as marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, and reef restoration initiatives, can also help mitigate the impacts of coral bleaching and support reef recovery.
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