The first detailed global map of human impacts on the seas revealed that only 4 percent of the world’s seas remain undamaged by humans. As per a study in Science Journal the main reason of such toll are climate change, fishing, pollution and other human factors that have affected almost half of the marine waters. The study warns that the remaining unaffected waters are mostly remote icy areas near the poles that are relatively pristine, but they face threats as ice sheets melt.
According to the study it is a wake-call for policymakers. Lead scientist, Dr Benjamin Halpern, of the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis in Santa Barbara, US, said it has been already noticed that the impact of individual activities has devastated the marine ecosystems but the detailed global map revealed the exact picture of the overall impact that humans are having.
Dr Mark Spalding told that the map is an impetus for action for the human threats that are all pervasive across the world’s oceans. He added it is very important to assess the complete coverage of human impacts on the oceans. He also blamed climate change and over fishing for such disastrous impacts. He express, “The policymakers should think on conservation action that cuts across the whole set of human impacts is needed now in many places around the globe.”
Philip MacMullen, Head of Environment at Seafish, says the map clearly shows the heavily heavily-fished areas that are actually rated as being impacted at only low to medium levels whereas the footprint of major urban centres is much more dramatic. The map also reveals the damage done to coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and other fish nursery areas and these are critically important for maintaining healthy fish stocks.
