New research revealing a shocking decline in the ocean's vertebrate population, highlighting the urgent need for us to act on marine conservation.
The recent study showed marine vertebrates declined by 49 percent between the years of 1970 and 2012, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reported. Many populations of locally and commercially fished species have dropped by half, with some especially important species declining at even more dramatic rates.
"Though the challenge seems immense, it's possible for governments, businesses, communities and consumers to secure a living ocean. To reverse the downward trend we need to preserve the oceans natural capital; produce better; consume more wisely; and ensure sustainable financing and governance," the WWF wrote in a statement.
To make their findings, a team of researchers tracked 5,829 populations of 1,234 mammal, bird, reptile, and fish species using the living planet index. The grim findings line up with a growing decline of marine habitats. Mangrove decline is exceeding the land deforestation rate by between three and four times; coral reefs are predicted to completely disappear by the year 2050; and almost a third of all seagrasses have been wiped out.
The global climate is believed to have caused the ocean's temperatures to change more rapidly than at any other point over the past few million years. As the climate is influenced by huge amounts of carbon emissions, heat and energy stores in the ocean see an increase in the exchange rate. The chain reaction results in phenomena such as extreme weather and rises in ocean temperature and acidity. These occurances could boost the negative effects on marine wildlife associated with overfishing and pollution.
"Our ocean needs a strong global climate deal and work is already underway as President Obama and leaders of the Arctic nations recently pledged to work together to boost strong action on climate change. But more needs to be done to prioritize ocean and coastal habitat health," the researchers concluded.
See the WWF's Living Planet Report HERE.
