Oceans are such so vast that people underestimate the impact their actions —seeming so insignificant— have on them. Humans have by and large taken the oceans for granted; not considering how important a healthy ocean is to our survival. A popular mind-set is that the oceans are a bottomless supply of fish, natural resources, and an infinite waste dump. There are myriad reasons why the oceans should be saved and the most obvious one is marine life. With 71% of the Earth being covered by water, it is obvious that sea creatures are predominant form of life, making up 80% of the species of life on Earth. However, as important as marine life is, that is not the only reason why saving the oceans is crucial. The ocean floor provides natural resources such as, oil, natural gas, petroleum, minerals, medications, and ingredients for foods and products. The economic benefits of the oceans are huge and significant, as well. Fishing and fish products have provided employment to 38 million people and have generated about $124 billion in economic benefits. However, oceans are on the verge of crisis, marine life, natural resources, transportation, the economy, and important ingredients are at risk due to overfishing, pollution, and acidification. Thus, in this essay I will argue that, oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of the ocean threatens the health of humanity, since oceans key to our survival.
Overfishing is the most major problem related to oceans, but it is also the most overlooked. Fishing has been going on for thousands of years, and fish have always been seen as a renewable resource, that would replenish itself forever for our benefit. But around the world there is evidence that fish are not recove...
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..." by Bahá'í International Community. Endangered Oceans.” Louise Gerdes, Ed. Opposing Viewpoints® Series. Greenhaven Press, 2009. Bahá'í International Community, "Perspectives: The Blue Planet: Oceans in Crisis," One Country, April-June 2006.
“Oceans." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 30 Nov. 2011.
“The Health of the World's Oceans Is Rapidly Declining" by Pew Environmental Group. Conserving the Environment. Debra A. Miller, Ed. Current Controversies Series. Greenhaven Press, 2010. Protecting Life in the Sea, Philadelphia, PA: Pew Environment Group, The Pew Charitable Trusts, 2008.
“Water pollution." Environmental Encyclopedia. Ed. Marci Bortman, Peter Brimblecombe, and Mary Ann Cunningham. 3rd ed. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that oceans are not impervious to human activity and threatening the health of humanity.
- Explains that 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based sources. the ocean reprocesses nitrogen compounds into nitrous oxide, which is 300 times more powerful than carbon dioxide.
- Narrates clover's book, the end of the line: how overfishing is changing the world and what we do.
- Argues that overfishing is the most major problem related to oceans, but it's also overlooked. in his book the end of the line, charles clover points out that large species of fish have declined by 90 percent over 50 years.
- Argues that agriculture is the leading threat to water quality in the united states.
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- The US Ocean Commission's Proposed Recommendations To Address the Health and Management of Our Oceansopinion essayIn 2004 The US Ocean Commission proposed several critical recommendations to address the health and management of our oceans. These recommendations range from better organization of current management offices to education of the public on issues pertaining to oceans and coastal areas. The importance of healthy oceans, waterways, and coastal areas cannot be denied. As humans we rely on these areas for food, fuel, materials for various products, and recreation just to name a few. Aside from the human aspect the health of the earth’s oceans is also bound to the air and land. Many other creatures throughout the world depend on a harmonious balance of the human species with the waters that surrounds us. The sooner we can find equilibrium with nature, the sooner we can rest assured that the oceans will continue to support us well into the future.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the us ocean council recommends a project called integrated ocean observing system to improve scientific knowledge and data.
- Recommends a coordinated management regime for federal waters and measurable water pollution reduction goals for nonpoint sources.
- Opines that separating assessment and allocation, improving the regional fishery management council system, and exploring dedicated access privileges is critical for the stability of our fisheries.
- Recommends the creation of a national ocean council, chaired by an assistant to the president, and the establishment of the presidential council of advisors on ocean policy.
- Explains the importance of educating the public on the dynamics of how run off and watersheds carry pollutants from their yards into main bodies of water.
- Opines that the us should work more closely with the un on laws pertaining to the seas and management of ocean resources.
- Cites the us ocean counsel (2004) and us dept. commerce's integrated ocean observing system the basics.
1866 wordsRead More - Oceans: are they Untouchable or Vulnerable?argumentative essayAlmost every great civilization in history lived off the waters around them. The Greeks and Romans, the Egyptians, the Japanese, the Mesoamericans, the Polynesians. Though some are more famous than others, and may have been more grandiose or “complex”, all of the peoples above sustained themselves one way or the next by fishing and trading with other maritime powers. Eventually, agriculture and livestock would be employed to provide a diversified diet, but the sea and its bounty was constant. Unlike the nations today, however, those civilizations were of small population and sufficient sense to not turn a crucial source of food into an industry. The world’s oceans are a finite and vulnerable habitat, and cannot take the things we do to them much longer.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the rate at which fisheries pull their products from the briny blue deep is unsustainable and has already resulted in the collapse of fish markets.
- Explains that the world's oceans are a finite and vulnerable habitat, and cannot take the things we do to them much longer.
- Concludes that the ocean is in grave danger, despite being unfathomably safe. legislators are too coy to discuss environmental issues like overfishing, pollution, ignorance of consequences, and many smaller issues.
- Opines that overfishing threatens the world's oceans. the washington post, 29 oct. 2013. plumer, brad, and l. pet-sode.
943 wordsRead More - Attack of the Sea Urchins and Other Thingsargumentative essayOceans, the beautiful blue gems of our world, full of bountiful resources. Well, used to be before humans slowly over fished several fish and shellfish species. Over fishing like this causes many problems from ecological issues to social issues.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that oceans, the beautiful blue gems of our world, are full of bountiful resources. overfishing causes many problems from ecological issues to social issues.
- Explains that americans are eating more fish, increasing the demand for fish. the average person in 1980 ate 12.4 pounds of fish per year and increased to 15.8 in 2010.
- Analyzes how over fishing of spiny rock lobster and snapper in the waters near an island in new zealand caused the population of a species of sea urchin to explode.
- Explains that marine reserves are off limits to fishing, so scientists can see the difference between what the normal population should be and goat island's density.
- Quotes michael w. robbins' article "the fate of the ocean: the catch." he interviews boat owners who have to carry around briefcases filled with regulatory documents.
- Explains that commercial fishing can cause overfishing, but recreational fishermen can also have an impact. warne kennedy showed that populations of certain fish species became rare.
- Opines that technology is better for commercial fishing operations, as stated in an article on fisheries and oceans canada's web site.
- Predicts that as the years go by over fish is going to get worse: people will eat more fish, ecosystems will continue to deteriorate, fisherman will have to carry around filing cabinets full of regulation documents, and sea urchins
- Cites the department of agriculture's statistical abstract of the u.s. 2014 online edition.
565 wordsRead More - Marine fisheries are large commercial fishing companies that recklessly catch mass amounts of fish, causing decline in marine fish populations and irreversible changes to the oceanic environment. Scientists Goldburg and Naylor record fishery’s statistics who report the amount fish caught globally by commercial fisheries to be about 90 million metric tons per year (21). Due to this excessive volume, it has been estimated that ninety percent of large fish in the world, like sharks and swordfish, have been wiped out (Goldburg and Naylor 21). Harris and Codur site the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization’s statistics, which show that sixty percent of major fish species in eleven of the fifteen most important global fisheries are in decline (1). Such a population decrease, seemingly impossible to restore, one would assume must be ...
In this essay, the author
- Describes how they spent a day on the ocean institute boat running tests and observing sea life. they found it interesting that catching fish in this way could be harmful not only to the fish, but the ocean environment itself.
- Explains that marine fisheries are large commercial fishing companies that recklessly catch mass amounts of fish, causing decline in fish populations and irreversible changes to the oceanic environment.
- Analyzes how fisheries deplete the ocean of large fish, destroying fish populations, food chains, and oceanic environment. the gulf of mexico once had a productive ocean floor but is now virtually unproductive because of trawling.
- Argues that aquaculture is a good idea, but it requires wild fishing, creating competition in the food chain, and causing harmful environmental impacts.
- Cites harris, jonathan, and anne-marie codur (lead authors); global development and environment institute (content partner); tom tietenberg (topic editor).
1211 wordsRead More - Where Does the Responsability of Consreving Ocean Life Liesanalytical essayGoing to a Japanese restaurant for Bluefin tuna sushi or a fish and chip restaurant for Atlantic cod is a luxury that many people enjoy. However, these consumers may not know that they are eating endangered species. Do consumers put too much trust in the government and fisheries? Should they pay more attention to the source of their food? This essay will address the issue of where the responsibility of conserving ocean-life lies. The responsible parties are national governments, fisheries, and consumers. If these parties have an interest in the future of sea-life, the fishing industry, and seafood, then they all need to take responsibility for protecting endangered species from overfishing.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that consumers don't know that they are eating endangered species. they argue that national governments, fisheries, and consumers should take responsibility for conserving ocean-life.
- Explains that many countries, including canada, act contrary to this belief when it comes to the fishing industry.
- Explains that fishermen depend on ocean resources to make a living. they have found ways to get around quotas and make the most profit by catching as many fish as they can.
- Explains that consumers share the responsibility for overfishing because of the relationship between demand and supply.
- Argues that governments should base their policies on scientific factors and look for better economic incentives to stop fisheries from overfishing.
694 wordsRead More - The Hazards of Ocean Pollutionexplanatory essayThe Hazards of Ocean Pollution Basic Facts Ocean Pollution is a serious issue in today's global politics. The delicate balance of Earth's ecosystem is put in jeopardy when the ocean is not clean. Problem evolving from ocean pollution directly harm marine life and indirectly affect human health and the Earth's many valuable resources. Ocean Pollution is a Broad term that encpompasses any and all foregin matter that directly or indirectly makes its way into the ocean. This includes everything from the extreme: oil spills, Toxic Waste dumping and industrial dumping-- to the small scael: human activities and basic carelessness.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that ocean pollution is a serious issue in today's global politics. it harms marine life and affects human health.
- Explains that oil spills, leakages, and general oil contamination are the most widely publicized of the different forms of ocean pollution. since exxon valdez, the american public has been more critical of oil companies.
- Explains that big spills are usually caused by ship wrecks and carrier leakage. runoff pollution from land drilling, industrial and individual waste, and oceanic oil pollution account for 363 million gallons.
- Explains the harmful effects of oceanic oil pollution, including dangers to animals, contamination, and the rare possibility of water ignition, as in the cuyahoga river incident.
- Explains that in 1972, the first bans were set to provide framework for regulation of oceanic dumping. they were extended to include prohibitions on sewage sludge, industrial waste, and medical waste.
- Explains that the brent spar oil installation was not allowed to be dumped into the ocean in 1995. it set a precedent that other installations would not be allowed.
- Explains that the main source of ocean dumping is sewage sludge. heavy rainfall can flood these pipes, causing the contents to mix and overflow.
798 wordsRead More - Climate Change on Aquatic Lifeexplanatory essayOver 70% of the world’s fish species have been fully exploited, many to the point of no recovery. Of the remaining 30%, most are beginning to be over-exploited. There is not enough regulation of fisheries at this time. Attempts to impose strict rules has led fisherman to engage in illegal and unreported activities in order to maintain their livelihood. The maximum sustainable yield of the entire ocean has leveled off at 80 million metric tons of fish caught annually. That number, however, is only what has been reported. The estimates of our current annual yield, with unwanted, unreported bycatch included, greatly exceed that number. The variability of fish stock recruitment from year to year depends on so many variables that it’s like trying to predict the weather six months in advance. It’s extremely difficult to know what a sustainable level of fishing is; each individual species is different. I find myself doubting even fisheries that claim to be fishing sustainable numbers of fish. Even if one company is fishing one species sustainably, there is sure to be another company that is...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that over 70% of the world's fish species have been fully exploited, many to the point of no recovery. there is not enough regulation of fisheries at this time.
- Opines that aquaculture is a promising business and that 50% of the world's fish food supply now comes from fish farms. poor management and minimal regulation has led to several negative consequences.
- Explains that abandoned fishing gear is catching marine species and predators. human garbage entangles and chokes animals and destroys delicate coastal ecosystems.
- Explains that ocean acidification and hypoxia go hand-in-hand and serve to exacerbate the other.
- Explains that 300 tons of radioactive water enters the pacific ocean every day from fukushima, contaminating everything it touches. sea life collected between california and hawaii has tested high for radiation.
- Opines that they are passionate about climate change, but they cannot continue to support the fishing industry, not with all of the other issues fish face.
584 wordsRead More - The Destruction of Delicate Ecosystems: Increase in Jellyfish Populationexplanatory essayAs human population continues to increase with the current population now exceeding 7 billion people so does human reliance on the ocean, however the ocean is not infinite therefore this means that if we fail to use the ocean wisely in a way that is sustainable and will allow for future generation to still access the resources of the ocean we will see great consequence many of which may be irreversible. Our actions on the ocean are greatly affecting the complex ecology of this vast aquatic environment. In this essay I am going to talk about how human as well as climatic activity is affecting one species in particular and what the outcomes of this are.
In this essay, the author
- Explains how human and climatic activity are affecting one species in particular and what the consequences of this are.
- Explains that jellyfish are one of the oldest organisms on earth dating back more than 300 million years.
- Explains that the effects on the ocean caused by humans and global warming are resulting in jellyfish taking over coastal waters, with humans coming into contact with them more and more.
- Explains that eutrophication pollution provides marine ecosystems with excess nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Explains that jellyfish flourish due to the lack of competition for food and predators. dead zones can be found all over the world with many of them located off the east coast of usa and throughout northern europe.
- Explains that jellyfish are becoming a worldwide problem as they flourish in the oceans, stinging 70 thousand people in spain, killing 102,000 salmon in northern ireland, and attacking swimmers in usa.
- Explains that jellyfish numbers are exploding due to the effects of global warming, which many believe is also being accelerated by humans.
- Explains that jellyfish abundance has a strong correlation with climatic fluctuations such as the north atlantic oscillation (nao). incidence in chesapeake bay provides crucial evidence for this.
- Explains that coral is an animal and belongs to the same phylum group as jellyfish. coral bleaching is caused by abiotic and biotic factors.
- Analyzes the correlation between jellyfish and coral, with 8 mass belching events and 6 strong el nio effects.
- Explains that jellyfish can cause many problems. a nuclear power plant in japan had to be shut down for a short period of time.
- Explains that the ocean is made up of delicate food webs where species interact. if you take out one species another will multiply to fill its place.
- Explains that unsustainable fishing was fuelled by the nave idea that the resources of the ocean were unlimited.
- Explains how overfishing is destroying ecosystems in the gulfs of maine and newfoundland. dr. carl safina's paper "where have all the fish gone?" highlights the effects of over fishing.
- Explains that walleye pollock became the largest single-species fishery in the world in 1986, but by 1994, it began showing signs of overfishing, resulting in sea lions and seabirds population declining by over 50%.
- Explains the dynamic equilibrium within ecosystems, where species try to survive and grow, are kept in check by other species. any change in the environment can tip the balance in one species favour.
- Explains that a news article by the telegraph in february 2010 suggested that penguins will be replaced by jellyfish. the removal of krill has massive impacts on the ecology of the ocean.
- Explains that overfishing and global warming are causing the shrinking of sea ice sheets, removing the narrow bands where krill thieve and the area above sea where penguins graze.
- Explains that antarctica is not the only place where jellyfish numbers are increasing due to over fishing.
- Explains that although there are many theories to why jellyfish populations are increasing, some scientists remain sceptical.
- Explains that the box jellyfish has one of the deadliest venoms in the world capable of killing an adult in a mere 3 minutes.
- Explains how a new study focuses on box jellyfish holds some important answers to how climate is affect the species.
- Concludes that the effects of human and climatic activity are having huge effects on jellyfish which in turn can have just as adverse impacts on humans as a result.
3290 wordsRead More - Our oceans are the most productive and more than likely the most helpful environment on the planet today. Oceans not only supply our ozone with life supporting oxygen, control the earth’s weather patterns, it also is home to over a million different species ranging from mammals, invertebrates, to microscopic plankton. The ocean is a very diverse environment and it is very important to keep the ocean and all off its creatures alive and healthy. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is that what we do in our waters will directly effect the way we live.
In this essay, the author
- Explains the importance of preserving the health and diversity of the world's oceans. oceans supply our ozone with life supporting oxygen, control the earth’s weather patterns, and are home to over a million different species.
- Explains that the oceans are being over fished and fish populations are dwindling more rapidly than ever.
- Explains that oil spills and pollution can be the cause of death too much of the local marine life. an oil slick can cover up to 50 square miles polluting, and damaging all the ecosystems
- Explains that even though oil spills are not an everyday ordeal, the seepage of toxic chemicals and waste filtrates into our ocean with devastating results.
- Opines that what we do in our oceans will more than likely come back and get us 2 fold of that we did to the marine life. the marine creatures don't deserve it and never will.
342 wordsRead More - Marine Life Extinction Essayexplanatory essayDid you know that more than 90 percent of all organisms that have ever lived on Earth are extinct? According to Pandey, the author of Humans Pushing Marine Life toward ‘Major Extinction’, nearly 10,000 species go extinct each year, and this rate is estimated to be 1,000 times higher than the natural extinction rate (1). Human beings are causing irreversible damage to the oceans and their wildlife, which is being led by two major reasons: Commercial fishing or over-fishing, which damaged the marine environment and caused a loss in the marine life diversity, and pollution, which is a primary way of the extinction causes that drastically modifies the marine life habitat. As a result of the commercial fishing and pollution, many of the marine species will start disappearing of the oceans. Briggs emphasizes that over-fishing “has induced population collapses in many species. So instead of having less than a hundred species at risk, as was the case some 30-40 years ago, there are now a thousand or more (10).”
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the effects of over-fishing are still reversible if the society acts strongly.
- Explains that oil spills are a toxic pollutant that contributes to the marine extinction.
- Explains that acid rain is caused by the dispensation of sulfur and nitrogen into the atmosphere, which increases the acidity of aquatic ecosystems.
- Explains that over-fishing and commercial fishing are causing irreversible damage to the oceans and their wildlife.
- Explains that pollution is a destructive influence on wildlife by killing or harming the health of individuals. ddt is an organochlorine chemical.
- Explains that the end of the permian was a major catastrophe for earth. there are several ways to reduce the pollution and collaborate with the ecosystem and wildlife by taking simple actions.
1941 wordsRead More