29 Percent of Ocean's Species Already in Collapse

[Bronco_Beerslug]

The news just keeps getting worse and worse for the future of our children.

------------------------------------------------------
29 percent of species already in collapse
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent Thu Nov 2

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world's fish and seafood populations will collapse by 2048 if current trends in habitat destruction and overfishing continue, resulting in less food for humans, researchers said on Thursday.

In an analysis of scientific data going back to the 1960s and historical records over a thousand years, the researchers found that marine biodiversity -- the variety of ocean fish, shellfish, birds, plants and micro-organisms -- has declined dramatically, with 29 percent of species already in collapse.

Extending this pattern into the future, the scientists calculated that by 2048 all species would be in collapse, which the researchers defined as having catches decline 90 percent from the maximum catch.

This applies to all species, from mussels and clams to tuna and swordfish, said Boris Worm, lead author of the study, which was published in the current edition of the journal Science.

Ocean mammals, including seals, killer whales and dolphins, are also affected.

"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging," Worm said in a statement. "In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems. I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are -- beyond anything we suspected."

When ocean species collapse, it makes the ocean itself weaker and less able to recover from shocks like global climate change, Worm said.

The decline in marine biodiversity is largely due to over-fishing and destruction of habitat, Worm said in a telephone interview from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

OVER-EXPLOITATION

The loss of biodiversity makes ocean ecosystems less able to recover from the effects of global climate change, pollution and over-exploitation, Worm said.

He likened a diverse ocean environment to a diversified investment portfolio.

With lots of different species in the oceans, just as with lots of different kinds of investments, "You spread the risk around," Worm said. "In the ocean ecosystem, we're losing a lot of the species in our stock portfolio, and by that we're losing productivity and stability. by losing stability, we're losing the ability of the system to self-repair."

"This research shows we'll have few viable fisheries by 2050," Andrew Sugden, international managing editor of Science, told reporters at a telephone news briefing. "This work also shows that it's not too late to act."

To help depleted areas rebuild, marine-life reserves and no-fishing zones need to be set up, Worm and other authors of the study said. This has proven effective in places including the Georges Bank off the U.S. Atlantic coast, he said.

With marine reserves in place, fishing near the reserves can improve as much as four-fold, Worm said.

Beyond the economic benefits to coastal communities where fishing is a critical industry, there are environmental benefits to rebuilding marine biodiversity, the scientists said.

Depleted coastal ecosystems are vulnerable to invasive species, disease outbreaks, coastal flooding and noxious algae blooms, they reported.

Certain kinds of aquaculture -- like the traditional Chinese cultivation of carp using vegetable waste -- can also be beneficial, according to the scientists. However, farms that aim to raise carnivorous fish are less effective.
http://tinyurl.com/uqusu

[Rohirrim]

What can you expect when crazy monkeys rule the world?

[mhgaffney]

One of the answers is to create large marine preserves -- where fishing is banned. This creates regions where fish species can recover their numbers -- and flourish. Fishermen originally opposed the concept but in some cases now have learned to support it. Why? Because when preserves are established fishing actually improves. Fishing tends to be excellent around the margins of a preserve..

Success depends on persuasion and if necesary enforcement.

But even if we can sell the world on the idea of marine preserves, this will not solve all of our problems, i.e., pollution, over population, etc etc.

[sisterhellfyre]

But even if we can sell the world on the idea of marine preserves...

Marine preserves: jarheads in a jar?

Eh, I like strawberry better.

Regards,
m.

[SteveTensi13]

Soooo..Using dynamite to fish is wrong?

[baja]

The news just keeps getting worse and worse for the future of our children.

------------------------------------------------------
29 percent of species already in collapse
By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent Thu Nov 2

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The world's fish and seafood populations will collapse by 2048 if current trends in habitat destruction and overfishing continue, resulting in less food for humans, researchers said on Thursday.

In an analysis of scientific data going back to the 1960s and historical records over a thousand years, the researchers found that marine biodiversity -- the variety of ocean fish, shellfish, birds, plants and micro-organisms -- has declined dramatically, with 29 percent of species already in collapse.

Extending this pattern into the future, the scientists calculated that by 2048 all species would be in collapse, which the researchers defined as having catches decline 90 percent from the maximum catch.

This applies to all species, from mussels and clams to tuna and swordfish, said Boris Worm, lead author of the study, which was published in the current edition of the journal Science.

Ocean mammals, including seals, killer whales and dolphins, are also affected.

"Whether we looked at tide pools or studies over the entire world's ocean, we saw the same picture emerging," Worm said in a statement. "In losing species we lose the productivity and stability of entire ecosystems. I was shocked and disturbed by how consistent these trends are -- beyond anything we suspected."

When ocean species collapse, it makes the ocean itself weaker and less able to recover from shocks like global climate change, Worm said.

The decline in marine biodiversity is largely due to over-fishing and destruction of habitat, Worm said in a telephone interview from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

OVER-EXPLOITATION

The loss of biodiversity makes ocean ecosystems less able to recover from the effects of global climate change, pollution and over-exploitation, Worm said.

He likened a diverse ocean environment to a diversified investment portfolio.

With lots of different species in the oceans, just as with lots of different kinds of investments, "You spread the risk around," Worm said. "In the ocean ecosystem, we're losing a lot of the species in our stock portfolio, and by that we're losing productivity and stability. by losing stability, we're losing the ability of the system to self-repair."

"This research shows we'll have few viable fisheries by 2050," Andrew Sugden, international managing editor of Science, told reporters at a telephone news briefing. "This work also shows that it's not too late to act."

To help depleted areas rebuild, marine-life reserves and no-fishing zones need to be set up, Worm and other authors of the study said. This has proven effective in places including the Georges Bank off the U.S. Atlantic coast, he said.

With marine reserves in place, fishing near the reserves can improve as much as four-fold, Worm said.

Beyond the economic benefits to coastal communities where fishing is a critical industry, there are environmental benefits to rebuilding marine biodiversity, the scientists said.

Depleted coastal ecosystems are vulnerable to invasive species, disease outbreaks, coastal flooding and noxious algae blooms, they reported.

Certain kinds of aquaculture -- like the traditional Chinese cultivation of carp using vegetable waste -- can also be beneficial, according to the scientists. However, farms that aim to raise carnivorous fish are less effective.
http://tinyurl.com/uqusu

<b>To help depleted areas rebuild, marine-life reserves and no-fishing zones need to be set up said Boris Worm, lead author of the study, which was published in the current edition of the journal Science.</b>

I don't know about anyone else but I find it very suspicious that a guy named Worm wants to set up no fishing zones. ;D

[TailgateNut]

we just need to put signs underwater indicating the "no fishing zones" and teach fish how to read, instead of pulling our collective heads out of our ass and realizing we a confronted with a problem which will affect our sons and daughters and their families.

.and we need to rid ourselves of the geniuses who don't see the light!

[Rohirrim]

I wish I could tell people how beautiful it used to be. We would sail over to Catalina, hanging in a net under the bow sprit, while thousands of flying fish flew out of the water all around us, skittering across the sunlit blue swells. They're gone now. Entire shoals of anchovies would circle off the breakwater while albacore, bonita and sometimes tuna, came ripping across the surface of the water right into the ball of fish. Some would get so frenzied they'd fly right up into the rocks where you could try to grab them. I regularly caught 30 pound halibut off those rocks with a piece of mussel on the simplest hook and sinker rig. And 20 pound albacore when you could see their dorsal fin ripping across the water before they hit your lure. And bonita (which make a great fish stew if you know how to cook them). And fantastic sea bass.

Now, that coast is a desert. It breaks my heart to think of it. My children will never see it as it was. When you could snorkel off the Hermosa Pier and see a pebble on the bottom, twenty feet down. When the sea was blue and the foam was white, not that sick looking soapy yellow it is now.

When we're done killing the ocean, we will see that we have killed ourselves. Crazy apes.

[Bronco_Beerslug]

I wish I could tell people how beautiful it used to be. We would sail over to Catalina, hanging in a net under the bow sprit, while thousands of flying fish flew out of the water all around us, skittering across the sunlit blue swells. They're gone now. Entire shoals of anchovies would circle off the breakwater while albacore, bonita and sometimes tuna, came ripping across the surface of the water right into the ball of fish. Some would get so frenzied they'd fly right up into the rocks where you could try to grab them. I regularly caught 30 pound halibut off those rocks with a piece of mussel on the simplest hook and sinker rig. And 20 pound albacore when you could see their dorsal fin ripping across the water before they hit your lure. And bonita (which make a great fish stew if you know how to cook them). And fantastic sea bass.

Now, that coast is a desert. It breaks my heart to think of it. My children will never see it as it was. When you could snorkel off the Hermosa Pier and see a pebble on the bottom, twenty feet down. When the sea was blue and the foam was white, not that sick looking soapy yellow it is now.

When we're done killing the ocean, we will see that we have killed ourselves. Crazy apes.
This sadly, will be the case, I'm sure because of right wing and corporate attitudes about conservation and environment.

Having just discovered the ocean the last couple of years, I'd really loved to seen those scenes you just described of plentiful fish and clean water. I see a flying fish maybe once or twice every ten times out or so.

A friend of mine from Denver came down this summer for fishing and we were lucky that day. Lots of Porpoise, a couple sea turtles, some medium size Rays and towards the end of the day, just before we started heading back in, two flying fish that just blew his mind. He was ecstatic watching them leave the water and glide over a couple hundred feet at a time. It's really a surreal experience watching them.








http://oceanlink.island.net/oinfo/biodiversity/flyingfish/flyingfish5.jpg

[TailgateNut]

When I used to live on the Chesapeake back in the eighties, I used to set out the crab pots overnight. The next morning the were filled to the "gills".
Fishing along the CBBT we would catch our limit of huge channel bass and trout.
This morning I read an article which stated that without drastic changes many species of fish will be GONE b 2046 (+-).
But yet we still have those people who seem to think the issues are to be taken lightly. SAD!

[Atlas]

The Earth will be in chaos by 2050.

[The Lone Bolt]

The Earth will be in chaos by 2050.

I have to disagree. Read The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil for a look into the next 50 years. The trends of genetics, nanotechnology, and computer processing power will change the world beyond recognition (and for the better I believe).

50 years for now we will have the technology to solve all of the world's problems. I just hope we use it.

[Rohirrim]

I have to disagree. Read The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil for a look into the next 50 years. The trends of genetics, nanotechnology, and computer processing power will change the world beyond recognition (and for the better I believe).

50 years for now we will have the technology to solve all of the world's problems. I just hope we use it.

That has been said before. Many times. I don't buy it. What has to change is the consciousness of mankind. A more difficult proposition than inventing new toys.

[TailgateNut]

I have to disagree. Read The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil for a look into the next 50 years. The trends of genetics, nanotechnology, and computer processing power will change the world beyond recognition (and for the better I believe).

50 years for now we will have the technology to solve all of the world's problems. I just hope we use it.


We'll just "build" new oceans, more land, and a new atmosphere!LOL
Sometimes I wish I would have been born decades earlier. Technology is not always a good thing IMO!


Just ask yourself. Do i mean it when I tell my child " I love You " as you kiss them good-night?

[The Lone Bolt]

That has been said before. Many times. I don't buy it. What has to change is the consciousness of mankind. A more difficult proposition than inventing new toys.


There's a lot more in the book than "inventing new toys". Kurzweil discusses how new technologies will fundamentally change society and even how we define "human". We are on course for computers with human like intelligence in 25 years, and if you follow the exponential curve of computer processing power (see "Moore's Law"), computers will have thousands of times human intelligence by 2050. Kurzweil argues that this will not be a problem as we will become "enhanced" ourselves through technology and will be one human-machine civilization, with little distinction between the two.

In short, he argues that we are headed for a technological "singularity", a point in time in which the world is transformed overnight.

Sounds fantastic, but read his book. His command of the latest research and statistical trends are very impressive.

[TailgateNut]

There's a lot more in the book than "inventing new toys". Kurzweil discusses how new technologies will fundamentally change society and even how we define "human". We are on course for computers with human like intelligence in 25 years, and if you follow the exponential curve of computer processing power (see "Moore's Law"), computers will have thousands of times human intelligence by 2050. Kurzweil argues that this will not be a problem as we will become "enhanced" ourselves through technology and will be one human-machine civilization, with little distinction between the two.

In short, he argues that we are headed for a technological "singularity", a point in time in which the world is transformed overnight.

Sounds fantastic, but read his book. His command of the latest research and statistical trends are very impressive.


....and this is Good???

[Bronco_Beerslug]

There's a lot more in the book than "inventing new toys". Kurzweil discusses how new technologies will fundamentally change society and even how we define "human". We are on course for computers with human like intelligence in 25 years, and if you follow the exponential curve of computer processing power (see "Moore's Law"), computers will have thousands of times human intelligence by 2050. Kurzweil argues that this will not be a problem as we will become "enhanced" ourselves through technology and will be one human-machine civilization, with little distinction between the two.

In short, he argues that we are headed for a technological "singularity", a point in time in which the world is transformed overnight.

Sounds fantastic, but read his book. His command of the latest research and statistical trends are very impressive.
Of course, we were suppose to all be flying around in our flying cars by now according to all the books predicting the future tech world of today back in the 70s and 80s too.

[The Lone Bolt]

We'll just "build" new oceans, more land, and a new atmosphere!LOL
Sometimes I wish I would have been born decades earlier. Technology is not always a good thing IMO!


Just ask yourself. Do i mean it when I tell my child " I love You " as you kiss them good-night?

I'm sure there will be no need to "build" new land, oceans, or an atmosphere. The ones we have now may be repaired with the technology that will exist by 2050.

Technology is not a good thing or a bad thing. It's how we use it that's good or bad.

[yavoon]

I have to disagree. Read The Singularity Is Near by Ray Kurzweil for a look into the next 50 years. The trends of genetics, nanotechnology, and computer processing power will change the world beyond recognition (and for the better I believe).

50 years for now we will have the technology to solve all of the world's problems. I just hope we use it.

solving all the worlds problems is in itself a problem. the world needs problems.

but yah its not gna happen, the world is as capable of reverting as it is of moving forward.

[The Lone Bolt]

....and this is Good???


Could be quite fantastic. Imagine having a body that you can change in appearance at will, and that is immune to all disease or illness. Imagine never growing old, and being far smarter than you are today. Imagine being able to be immersed in virtual worlds of your choosing that seem as real as the physical world.

Sounds pretty good to me!

[Bronco_Beerslug]

Could be quite fantastic. Imagine having a body that you can change in appearance at will, and that is immune to all disease or illness. Imagine never growing old, and being far smarter than you are today. Imagine being able to be immersed in virtual worlds of your choosing that seem as real as the physical world.

Sounds pretty good to me!
ghaffney, is that you?

[The Lone Bolt]

Of course, we were suppose to all be flying around in our flying cars by now according to all the books predicting the future tech world of today back in the 70s and 80s too.

Yep, no predictions of the future are perfect. Kurzweil paints a broader picture rather than predicting specifics like "flying cars". He does note that previous predictions have been flawed so he tried to avoid that trap (while at the same time proposing an explanation of the innacuracy of what one person labeled "gee-whiz" futurism).

And once again he backs his predictions up with a remarkable command of the facts.

[The Lone Bolt]

ghaffney, is that you?

:rofl: Nope, no mini-nukes here!

[spdirty]

Oh my God Im stuffed. Daaaaamn Red Lobster is great. Better be able to eat my king crab legs when Im 68 damnit.

[W*GS]

This sadly, will be the case, I'm sure because of right wing and corporate attitudes about conservation and environment.

That doesn't explain the truly horrible environmental conditions in the former Soviet bloc, China, and other shining examples of leftism gone mad.

The problem is an old one - the tragedy of the commons.

[baja]

Oh my God Im stuffed. Daaaaamn Red Lobster is great. Better be able to eat my king crab legs when Im 68 damnit.

Funny to watch you try harder and harder to get a rise out of someone. I haven't seen anyone respond to you in days. I doubt most even read your posts anymore. Look at the Lennon post you made it can and went with out a comment. Congratulations on becoming a non person.