Mad as a Marine Biologist

High-res mothernaturenetwork: Scientists grade oceans’ health (and there’s room for improvement)The new index looks at such criteria as biodiversity, clean water, coastal protections and carbon storage. Based on 10 Criteria, some of our oceans (i.e. those within a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone - because there is still not sufficient data for the high seas) are graded: Food provision: This goal refers to the amount of seafood a country catches or grows, all sustainably, from its waters. Artisanal fishing: The opportunity for the small-scale fishing efforts that are particularly crucial in developing nations. Natural products: The sustainable harvest of living, non-food natural products, such as corals, shells, seaweeds and fish for the aquarium trade. It does not include bioprospecting, oil and gas or mining products. Carbon storage: The protection of three habitats, mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes, which store carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere and therefore mitigating global warming. Coastal protection: The presence of natural habitats and barriers, including mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, salt marshes and sea ice, which physically protect coastal structures, like homes, and uninhabited places, like parks. Coastal livelihoods and economies: Jobs and revenue produced from marine-related industry, alongside the indirect benefits of a stable coastal economy. Tourism and Recreation: The value people place on experiencing and enjoying coastal areas, not the economic benefit which is included in coastal economies. Clean waters: Whether or not waters are free from oil spills, chemicals, algal blooms, disease-causing pathogens, including those introduced by sewage, floating trash, mass kills of organisms and oxygen-depleted conditions. Biodiversity: The extinction risk faced by species as well as the health of their habitats. Sense of Place: Aspects that people value as part of their identity, including iconic species and places with special cultural value. Overall, the seas get 60 out of 100. Not the best score? Well it’s not because the sea isn’t doing it’s homework, but more that we’re bad babysitters. 

mothernaturenetwork:

Scientists grade oceans’ health (and there’s room for improvement)
The new index looks at such criteria as biodiversity, clean water, coastal protections and carbon storage.

Based on 10 Criteria, some of our oceans (i.e. those within a country’s Exclusive Economic Zone - because there is still not sufficient data for the high seas) are graded:

  1. Food provision: This goal refers to the amount of seafood a country catches or grows, all sustainably, from its waters.
  2. Artisanal fishing: The opportunity for the small-scale fishing efforts that are particularly crucial in developing nations.
  3. Natural products: The sustainable harvest of living, non-food natural products, such as corals, shells, seaweeds and fish for the aquarium trade. It does not include bioprospecting, oil and gas or mining products.
  4. Carbon storage: The protection of three habitats, mangroves, seagrasses and salt marshes, which store carbon, keeping it out of the atmosphere and therefore mitigating global warming.
  5. Coastal protection: The presence of natural habitats and barriers, including mangroves, coral reefs, seagrasses, salt marshes and sea ice, which physically protect coastal structures, like homes, and uninhabited places, like parks.
  6. Coastal livelihoods and economies: Jobs and revenue produced from marine-related industry, alongside the indirect benefits of a stable coastal economy.
  7. Tourism and Recreation: The value people place on experiencing and enjoying coastal areas, not the economic benefit which is included in coastal economies.
  8. Clean waters: Whether or not waters are free from oil spills, chemicals, algal blooms, disease-causing pathogens, including those introduced by sewage, floating trash, mass kills of organisms and oxygen-depleted conditions.
  9. Biodiversity: The extinction risk faced by species as well as the health of their habitats.
  10. Sense of Place: Aspects that people value as part of their identity, including iconic species and places with special cultural value.

Overall, the seas get 60 out of 100. Not the best score?

Well it’s not because the sea isn’t doing it’s homework, but more that we’re bad babysitters. 

Notes

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