Climate change survey: Scientists from 19 nations warn of threats to ocean biodiversity
Thiruvananthapuram: Scientists from 19 countries, including India, are concerned about the growing threat to ocean biodiversity due to climate change, pollution and overfishing, according to a new survey by Marine Stewardship Council conducted in March this year.
Fifty-eight noted ocean experts, including those from Kerala, participated in the survey conducted ahead of World Ocean Day on June 8 and United Nations Ocean Conference on June 9-13, said a press release.
Rising sea surface temperatures and increased frequency of extreme weather events, including cyclones, are causing disruptions in the marine food web, thereby affecting coastal livelihoods. Plastic pollution is another worrying issue that has emerged as the biggest threat to marine ecosystems, the scientists said.
According to the scientists who participated in the survey, a staggering amount of plastic debris, originating from human activities on land, is increasingly reaching the oceans.
Marine scientists warned that this influx of plastic poses an escalating danger to coastal ecosystems and the livelihood of small-scale fishers, said the release.
"It is alarming that around 5% of marine catch from coastal waters contains plastic waste," said Sunil Mohamed, chair of Sustainable Seafood Network of India and former principal scientist at ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
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Flagging it as a grave issue to marine life, he called for stricter measures to tackle the menace through coordinated efforts of the public and govt agencies.
"There is inherent resilience in ocean ecosystems, and hence good fisheries management and environmental care could greatly help to restore the ecosystems," he added. According to the state of world fisheries and aquaculture report, consumption of aquatic animals rose from 9.1kg per capita in 1961 to 20.7kg in 2022.
Kerala is grappling with millions of plastic pellets that washed ashore from the sunken container ship MSC ELSA 3 along the southern coast, raising concerns of long-term pollution. Climate impact is another issue. Mohamed said, "Indian Ocean is rapidly warming, leading to disruptions in fish productivity, species distribution and the decline of some commercially important varieties." He is one of the three scientists involved in the global survey from India.
Despite worries, the scientists are optimistic about the situation, pointing to advances in science and policy as tools in protecting the oceans. Dr Beth Polidoro, research director at Marine Stewardship Council, said: "There is a general consensus among scientists across the world that our oceans are under threat. A positive is that we are still in a place to change the trajectory, halt these negative impacts and ensure healthy oceans full of life for future generations.
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