Marine species are threatened with extinction!

Scientists are sounding the alarm and warning of unprecedented danger. The preliminary ‘State of the Oceans’ report, produced in April by Oxford University researchers, is the first to show the holistic impact of humans on marine wildlife.

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It takes into account the latest research results focusing on issues such as the impact of pollution, global warming (including rising water temperatures), human over-exploitation of fish populations, oxygen deficiency and increased acidity of waters.

The authors of the study claim that we are dealing here with a situation that preceded the extinction of every significant species in Earth’s history, but the speed of the degradation of marine life is much greater and is happening much faster than anyone could have imagined. As a result, although it is difficult to assess precisely, we are witnessing the first steps towards the extinction of species such as reef-forming corals.

“These results are shocking,” says Dr Alex Rogers, scientific director of the international programme studying the state of the oceans – IPSO.

Marine scientists from around the world gathered at Oxford University as part of an IPSO and IUCN meeting. They analysed the results of 50 recent reports and scientific papers on various aspects of marine life to illustrate how a changing climate, combined with human activities, is having a deadly impact on marine life.

The increase in anaerobic areas (known as dead zones), combined with a warming climate and the increasing acid ph reaction of ocean waters, have preceded every major extinction event in Earth’s history.

There is strong scientific evidence that these 3 factors are combining again, this time threatening life in the oceans. The panellists concluded that a new process of extermination of vital marine life has already begun.

The report concludes that if appropriate action is not taken, the consequences for the world will be dire and we are threatened with the extinction of marine life. It is worth noting that the occurrence of multiple high-intensity stressors was a prerequisite for the five largest extinctions affecting the Earth in 600 million years.

Source: news.scubatravel.co.uk
Photo: iMollo/flickr