The world's oceans cover 70% of the earth's surface and are home to a
myriad of amazing and beautiful creatures. However, the biodiversity of
the oceans is incre- ingly coming under serious threat from many human
activities including overfi- ing, use of destructive fishing methods,
pollution and commercial aquaculture. In addition, climate change is
already having an impact on some marine ecosystems. This book discusses
some of the major threats facing marine ecosystems by cons- ering a
range of topics, under chapters discussing biodiversity (Chapter 1),
fisheries (Chapter 2), aquaculture (Chapter 3), pollution (Chapter 4)
and the impacts of increasing greenhouse gas emissions (Chapter 5). It
goes on to explore solutions to the problems by discussing equitable and
sustainable management of the oceans (Chapter 6) and protecting marine
ecosystems using marine reserves (Chapter 7). Presently, 76% of the
oceans are fully or over-exploited with respect to fishing, and many
species have been severely depleted. It is abundantly clear that, in
general, current fisheries management regimes are to blame for much of
the widespread degradation of the oceans. Many policy-makers and
scientists now agree that we must adopt a radical new approach to
managing the seas - one that is precautionary in nature and has
protection of the whole marine ecosystem as its primary objective. This
'ecosystem-based approach' is vital if we are to ensure the health of
our oceans for future generations.
