Marine Ecology: The Ocean Conservancy "Vibrant Marine Life"

I went to to The Ocean Conservancy's page on healthy oceans http://www.oceanconservancy.org/healthy-ocean/
 (Links to an external site.) selected "Vibrant Marine Life" and began to read about how the ocean provides most of the oxygen for the planet, provides food, inspires humans and there were links to specific locations.

In “Gulf of Mexico Species” it detailed “ indicator species in the Gulf of Mexico.” It indicated that seafood drives a huge economic portion of the country’s income. There are locations, such as the Gulf that has a lot of wildlife and supports ecosystems filled with sea turtles, fish, dolphins, sea birds and whales but they are at risk. Pollution, overfishing, oil spills and erosion from the coast are all making life hard for marine wildlife there. Ocean Conservatory is trying to help the wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico.
The BP Deepwater Horizon oils spill was a terrible disaster that affected wildlife all over the world. Fisheries closed, tourism went down and the local economy went down. Now we are seeing it affect oceanic life. The Gulf provides 40% of the commercial food in the US and recreationally, 41% of fish. Many animals are affected by overfishing and fish populations are having issues keeping up with demand. The need for sustainable fisheries is very high. The Ocean Conservatory has allied with fishermen and partnerships to make policies to ensure fish remain plentiful and it has helped fish such as the red snapper gain ground.

From this link I went to “sustainable Fisheries” and I was able to read more about how fish is important in human diets, to jobs and for many to make their living. However, overfishing is becoming a challenge since fish numbers are having trouble keeping up with the demand of humans. There may not be enough behind to properly reproduce and it is harming fish and those who depend on them. The Ocean Conservatory is helping sustainable fisheries and in the end they hope to restore the ocean’s numbers as well as the economy based on oceanic production. TO this end, they are partnering with many people and fisherman to ensure the fish numbers are safe. Fishing has become more commercial, but policies help fish such as red snapper to recover. This is being used to teach other counties, but it is taking time and we are learning more each day.

I next looked through Arctic Species, in particular “ working to protect Arctic life.” This area is a very pristine ecosystem still intact with many animals that live there. The people who reside there use them to survive and the marine ecosystem must remain intact for them to thrive. Ocean Conservatory works with citizens and people who help make decisions to ensure that the arctic risks of oil and gas exploration, industry, tourism and climate change are mediated. Arctic drilling is restricted and our ability to handle and clean an Artic oil spill must be established before we do more drilling or leasing. Climate change is affecting the arctic faster than anyone, a lot of pollution makes its way there and shipping has effects on marine life.

Under Pacific Coast Species I read the “Pacific Coast “ hyperlink. Here, I read about all the animals that live there such as seals and otters as well as animals that move through it such as the gray whale. There is a wonderful world under the ocean and it needs to stay healthy to support habitats, recreation, income and individuals. The areas must remain protected. Shellfish are being threatened by ocean acidification from carbon emissions.