World’s oceans under threat

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will host the 2016 Our Ocean conference in Washington D.C. from September 15-16, focusing on marine protected areas and other related ecological issues

Marine Protected Areas (MPA): Almost 6m km 2, area twice size of India

MPA: Any area of seashore or under- water terrain (together with its flora, fauna, historical and cultural features) protected from human impacts –  allowing depleted marine resources to recover

3%

Ocean given to MPA

Arctic Ocean

Indian Ocean

Pacific Ocean

Southern Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

MAJOR MARINE ISSUES

CLIMATE CHANGE

Coral bleaching: Starvation, shrinkage and death of coral reefs

Fish migration: Many species have moved towards poles to escape warming oceans – disrupting fisheries

Drowning wetlands: Plant blades unable to grow fast enough to avoid rising water levels

Acidification: Oceans have absorbed about 30 percent of carbon dioxide humans have sent into atmosphere since 1760 – around 135 billion tonnes

POLLUTION

80% Originates on land

Nutrients: From farming, sewage and wastewater. Creates oxygen depleted dead zones

Debris: Trash (significant amounts of plastic packaging) enters ocean – threatens wildlife and habitats

Sources: Our Ocean 2016, Protect Planet Ocean, Environment Defense Fund

Pictures: Our Ocean 2016