Statement on global marine degradation
1971; Elsevier BV; Volume: 4; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/0006-3207(71)90060-7
ISSN1873-2917
Autores Tópico(s)Coastal and Marine Management
ResumoIt is claimed, from observations made over nearly 30 years, extending to depths of at least 500 metres in a wide range of oceans and seas, and at the conclusion of a voyage of 248,000 km, that the intensity of life in the world's oceans and seas has already diminished by more than 30 per cent, probably by an average of 40 per cent, and possibly by nearly 50 per cent, in the past 20 years. The main causes are pollution, over-fishing, and environmental changes resulting from human intervention, human over-population being the basic reason. The immense expanse of the oceans is deceptive, and their content of water limited when we consider how most forms of pollution concentrate in them. Control will be needed for Man's and Nature's survival, and the key to its effective imposition lies in the economic sphere. A plan of action is outlined, indicating four points which are clearly interdependent and comprise (1) intensifying research, (2) educating the public, (3) persuading the producers, and (4) introducing and enforcing drastic legislation; yet independent control will be needed of governmental and intergovernmental action.
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