Extinction & Ocean

“We may be sitting on the precipice of a major extinction event”

While Earth has been through 5 mass extinctions in the past, none quite compare to the one that's happening right now. The current 6th extinction is unprecedented both in it's speed and the fact that it is being caused by a single species - or rather a single culture. 

A mass extinction is an "event" where 50-90% of species on Earth get wiped out. Although we call them events, mass extinctions can often take thousands or even millions of years to occur - still a blink of an eye in geological time. In contrast, the current extinction is happening over the span of a single century. 

A mass extinction is defined when Earth loses more than three quarters of its total estimated species in a geologically short timeframe. The planet has experienced five such events over its ~4.5 billion year history, with causes thought to include meteor collisions, massive volcanic eruptions and sudden climate fluctuations. Now a growing body of evidence suggests that mankind itself may be responsible for a mass extinction to rival all others, now well underway.

The last major marine extinction event occurred 252 million years ago, but the next may be just decades away, according to new research on past extinctions which found that the ocean’s rapid absorption of carbon dioxide could trigger another mass die-off of species by the century’s end.

Most extinctions of the past have been attributed to ocean acidification, and the current extinction follows the same pattern, only this time the acidity of the ocean is increasing much faster than it has in the past. If this acidification continues it has the potential to wipe out most life in the ocean, and consequently life on land.

Marine and freshwater ecosystems are also facing huge pressures. Almost 6 billion tonnes of fish and invertebrates have been taken from the world’s oceans since 1950. Plastic pollution has been detected in all major marine environments worldwide, from shorelines and surface waters down to the deepest parts of the ocean, including the bottom of the Mariana Trench. 

Freshwater habitats, such as lakes, rivers and wetlands, are the source of life for all humans yet they are also the most threatened, strongly affected by a range of factors including habitat modification, fragmentation and destruction; invasive species; overfishing; pollution; disease; and climate change.

A scientist’s research links past mass die-offs of marine life to the accumulation of carbon in the sea, finding that the current rapid absorption of CO2 could push the ocean to a tipping point by the end of the century.

Coral Extinction 
For decades, marine scientists have been warning of the demise of coral reefs in a warming world. But now, those warning calls have reached a full-scale alarm, leaving researchers at a loss for exactly how best to save the reefs.

It's a cautionary tale with a twist. Unless we do more to protect them, coral reefs could become extinct by 2050 due to pollution & climate change. This video was released just ahead of the landmark Copenhagen summit on climate change in order to draw attention to the plight of these fragile ecosystems. Sadly, the summit ended in failure -- and the future of our reefs is still at risk.

Due to the warming sea-surface temperatures, seawater acidification and plastic pollution, 50 percent of the world's coral reefs are now dead.

Reefs occupy just 1% of the world’s marine environment, but they provide a home to a quarter of marine species—including a unique set of fish, turtles and algae. Many of these species could be lost permanently.

The new study finds that 94 percent of surveyed coral reefs have experienced a severe bleaching event since the 1980s. Only six sites surveyed were unaffected. They are scattered around the world, meaning no ocean basin on Earth has been entirely spared.

Some of the world’s top coral experts amounts to a last rites for the ecosystems often referred to as “the tropical rainforests of the sea.” Scientists surveyed 100 reefs around the world and found that extreme bleaching events that once occurred every 25 or 30 years now happen about every five or six years.

Bleaching happens when corals become overheated and expel the symbiotic algae that feed them. Without the algae to photosynthesize their food for them, corals stop growing and become more susceptible to disease. If water temperatures remain too high for too long, the corals can die.

How many sea animals would face extinction? Could the corals rebuild themselves from scratch? How would this massive die-off affect humanity?

Marine Animals going extinct 
Over 2,000 species are currently on the ESA, and they are separated into "Threatened" and "Endangered" species. Endangered species are in danger of going extinct, while Threatened species are approaching Endangered status.

When most people think of fishing, we imagine relaxing in a boat and patiently reeling in the day’s catch. But modern industrial fishing -- the kind that stocks our grocery shelves -- looks more like warfare. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Jennifer Jacquet explain overfishing and its effects on ecosystems, food security, jobs, economies, and coastal cultures.

Overfishing 
Overfishing occurs when more fish are caught than the population can replace through natural reproduction. Gathering as many fish as possible may seem like a profitable practice, but overfishing has serious consequences. The results not only affect the balance of life in the oceans, but also the social and economic well-being of the coastal communities who depend on fish for their way of life.

More than 30 percent of the world's fisheries have been pushed beyond their biological limits and are in need of strict management plans to restore them. Several important commercial fish populations (such as Atlantic bluefin tuna) have declined to the point where their survival as a species is threatened. Target fishing of top predators, such as tuna and groupers, is changing marine communities. Overfishing even effects the abundance of smaller marine species, such as sardines and anchovies.

With overfishing we take away the food from our ocean friends.

Global overfishing has pushed the oceans to the breaking point. The Southern Ocean is now the last refuge in the oceans. Supertrawlers from almost every country are converging to decimate the last untapped ocean.

Bycatch
Wherever there is fishing, there is bycatch - the incidental capture of non-target species such as dolphins, marine turtles and seabirds. Thousands of kilometers of nets and lines are set in the world's oceans each day. Modern fishing gear, often undetectable by sight and extremely strong, is very efficient at catching the desired fish species—as well as anything else in its path. A staggering amount of marine life—including turtles, dolphins and juvenile fish - is hauled up with the catch, and then discarded overboard dead or dying.

Fishing industry leaders increasingly realize the need to reduce this phenomenon. Proven solutions do exist, such as modifying fishing gear so that fewer non-target species are caught or can escape. In many cases, these modifications are simple and inexpensive, and often come from fishers themselves.

Despite new technologies and industry recognition of the issue, bycatch is still a major problem. Not only does it cause avoidable deaths and injuries, but the fishing methods can be harmful to the marine environments where they are employed.

A few endangered species

The fin whale.
The fin whale is the second largest animal on the planet. The lower left jaw of the fin whale is black and the lower right of its jaw is white. Their population was largely affected by commercial whaling which occurred up until 1979. They have since been rare species in the North Atlantic

There are plenty of fish in the sea, right? Can we run out?

Bluefin Tuna 
The fishing of bluefin is popular in Asia, where the Atlantic Bluefin is a popular and expensive delicacy. It is primarily because of this commercial reason that it is rapidly reducing in numbers. Besides providing a source of food, they also maintain the balance in the marine food chain as a top predator. It has been threatened by the lack of enforcement of fishing laws and limits.

Ocean Artists Society and Scuba Pro present the 2015 film, Endangered Species

Blue Whale
Weighing in at an average of 200 tons, the blue whale is the biggest animal on the planet. Much like bluefin tuna, blue whales are also at the top of the food chain, and are an important factor in the health of marine life. The blue whale was a whaling target in the 20th century before its commercial targeting was stopped in 1966. This whale is notably endangered by toxins that are released to their habitats. Climate change is contributing to the completion of their main food source of krill.

Vaquita
A vaquita is a type of porpoise that is only found in the northern section of the Gulf of California. They are on the brink of extinction. Many vaquitas are caught in nets through illegal fishing operations. It is the most endangered water animal in the world with its population thought to be composed of around 60 individuals. If fishing in the protected areas does not cease, this mammal could be in extinct by 2018.

Hawksbill Turtle 
It is thought that this type of reptile has lived in the seas for over 100 million years. Hawksbill help in maintaining the health of the coral reefs since they remove sponges in it, which enables reef fish to access food. However, the illegal wildlife trade has rendered the hawksbill turtle a critically endangered species. They are more hunted for their shell that is used commercially for making jewellery and ornaments

Reasons

Plastic Pollution 
There are an estimated 270,000 tons of plastic floating on the surface of the ocean and according to a recent study authored by researchers at Plymouth University, a staggering 700 different marine species are threatened by its presence. More than this, researchers believe that plastic plays a role in rising rates of species extinction.

Around the world, an estimated one million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die each year when they become trapped in plastic or eat it, perhaps mistaking it for a tasty treat. It is one of biggest threats to all whales and dolphins occurring throughout the world’s oceans.

Research found that 693 species had been documented as having encountered plastic debris, with nearly 400 involving entanglement and ingestion. Between entanglement, ingestion and ecosystem damage, the threat of plastic pollution impacts marine species both large and small.

The strength of an ecosystem is in its diversity. As biodiversity decreases the consequences are profound. Life evolved into a balance where every species has a role to play. There is no surplus in nature, no room for an infinitely growing extractive economy. 

It is estimated that up to 200 species go extinct every day.

Solutions 

With only about 40 left, vaquitas are the most endangered marine mammals in the world. Meet those who are fighting to protect them.

1. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues facing this vital system, the more you’ll want to help ensure its health—then share that knowledge to educate and inspire others.

2. Support Organizations Working to Protect the Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a national organization and consider giving financial support or volunteering for hands-on work or advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local branch or group and get involved in projects close to.

3. Stop fish consumption 
Human consumption of seafood is responsible for the deaths of thousands of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and porpoises. In fact, The National Journal estimates that about 20 percent of all animals caught by commercial fisheries is "by-catch," or unwanted animals swept up in massive trawling nets along with the targeted species.

An in-depth, fact-based look at the ripple effects that our dietary choices have on the ocean. You could say they make waves.

What’s more…
Around the world abandoned or lost fishing gear is killing countless sea animals and trashing our oceans. According to Elizabeth Hogan, campaign manager with World Animal Protection, each year 640,000 tons of gear are lost and pollute the world’s oceans.

Last year, the West Coast faced 61 whale entanglements, a record high that unfortunately is likely to be broken this year. There have been 60 reports of entanglements so far this year.

The best thing we can do to remove our support from the cruel fishing industry is to leave fish off our plates and switch to a compassionate vegan diet.

Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in non disposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle whenever possible.

Use coral safe sunscreen 
We know that reefs are suffering at the hands of global climate change due to rising ocean temperatures, as the stress of warm water causes corals to bleach. In addition, scientists now say that chemically based sunscreen can induce the same bleaching response in coral. Studies have shown that oxybenzone and octinoxate are found in over 3,500 sunscreen products, including household names like Tropicana, Banana Boat, and Coppertone. When corals absorb these chemicals, they have a similar reaction as they would if surrounding water temperatures were to get too warm. In addition, the presence of these chemicals in sea water allows viruses to thrive, putting corals at high risk of catching an infection that could lead to bleaching and death.

Coral farms
Coral farms are on the rise. Coral farming is the process whereby fragments of corals are collected from the local reefs, raised in nurseries until mature, and then installed at the restoration site. After decades of scientific, small-scale, and community-based projects around the world, its been shown to be a viable method for restoring degraded reefs. With the advent of innovative coral farming techniques, now is the time to launch large-scale restoration efforts to revive and protect the valuable coral reef resources that are at risk.

Last month, Clearwater Marine Aquarium had over 20 dive team members voluntarily travel to the Florida Keys to “Dive for the Ocean.” These volunteers joined together with Coral Restoration Foundation, the largest coral reef restoration organization in the world, along with an army of ocean-lovers to plant corals on World Oceans Day.

What do you do to maintain biodiversity? By tagging us with #theconsciouschallenge you can share your ideas!


Want to contribute to our Ecological Footprint Bible? Submit us your scientific articles! Mail us at info@theconsciouschallenge.org




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