Featured Image Credit: Jordi Chias
The world is becoming more industrialized every single day. Although many only see the impacts from terrestrial development, the oceans are suffering as well.
The vast wilderness of the ocean is largely impacted by humans on a regular basis. From plastic pollution to overfishing and tourism to shipping traffic, the wildlife in our oceans is being affected on a daily basis. One problem that the oceans face is that they are largely international territory. That means that countries must work together to protect it or it is left unguarded from human exploitation.
Researchers at the University of Queensland are advocating for international legislation that will protect our oceans. Although many countries have specific laws that protect their own waters, it requires multiple countries to effectively protect the oceans.
According to Professor Watson, “One obvious intervention these nations can prioritise is establishing protected areas in ways that would slow the impacts of industrial activity on the larger landscape or seascape. But we must also stop industrial development to protect indigenous livelihoods, create mechanisms that enable the private sector to protect wilderness, and push the expansion of regional fisheries management organisations.”
It is important to realize that no single country can effectively protect the entirety of the seas. It will require a team effort from multiple countries to protect our awesome ocean from further harm.
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