The World is Blue… but for how much longer?

Like the vast majority of global conservation, restoration, and preservation efforts, our Ethical Expeditions Borneo 2010 trip has focused in large part on forests – and with good reason. When we burn and log, we lose biodiversity, carbon storage, and water purification services. But as important as the world’s forests are, by focusing exclusively on them with neglect a much larger ecosystem. Here at the end of our expedition, we’ve taken some time to focus on the blue half of the planet, both academically (in our readings and classes) and experientially (on the island of Maratua). Before our arrival on the island, we watched Sylvia Earle’s TED talk, where she explains the plight of the oceans. I remembered some of the statistics from my Global Perspectives class. Nearly 90% of the worlds fish population has been wiped out as a result of unsustainable fishing practices – 90%! It’s easy to see the ocean as a gigantic fish tank with the population spread more or less evenly throughout – but that’s not the case. Fish populations are concentrated along the worlds coastlines – easy pickings. Too easy – the graph in Earle’s slideshow comparing early 20^th century fish stocks with those of today is appalling.

ocean of the coral triangle, island of maratua, indonesia

Destructive ocean resource extraction practices vary widely. While snorkeling amongst the vibrant corals and ridiculous fishes of Maratua, I witnessed the devastation of dynamite fishing. Dynamite is actually exploded underwater, stunning fish who float to the surface with simultaneously killing all coral in the vicinity. As far as I know, this technique has been abandoned on Maratua where they’re attempting to promote ecotourism, but it continues elsewhere. In the film Sharkwater, Rob Stewart explores the atrocities of the shark fining industry, and the documentary The Cove exposes the problems with tuna fisheries. And even where the methods themselves are not problematic, the shear quantities harvested are.

ocean of glacier bay, southeast alaska, USA

I often find it frustrating to try and live ethically. To recognize the consequences of my consumption and then to act responsibly. But after spending time communing with the underwater world and taking the time to more fully understand the dire straights of our oceans, I definitely plan on making a commitment to take more responsibility for my seafood consumption. Here’s how to get started.

One Response to “The World is Blue… but for how much longer?”

1. NJ says:

   March 4, 2010 at 5:41 pm

   Thanks, Jill. I especially like your link to Monterrey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch.

   Reply