The brief: Recovery of life in the oceans

According to a recent study, “substantial” recovery of life in the oceans could be achieved by 2050 if major threats such as climate change are dealt with.

Value of oceans

Oceans are important sources of food, water and clean energy and key for tackling global warming. Indeed, they store heat and carbon. However, many marine species, habitats and ecosystems have suffered catastrophic declines.

Researchers of the journal Naturewarn have said that climate change,  is further undermining the oceans’ productivity and rich wildlife. In fact, it is hitting areas such as the coral reefs,

Actions needed

If action including tackling climate change and restoring habitats happens at a large scale it is possible to change this trend. Indeed, the scientists behind this report point to examples of “impressive resilience” in marine wildlife. For example, the recovery of fish stocks during the First and Second World Wars when fishing was reduced.

Deploying conservation measures such as curbing hunting, better management of fisheries, regulating harmful pollutants, creating marine protected areas and restoring habitat such as seagrass, saltmarsh and mangroves have had an impact on life in the oceans.

The focus should be on rebuilding depleted wildlife populations and ecosystems scientists claimed. This means not simply conserving what remains, and there should also be efforts to remove pressure on the oceans.

This will require a series of actions including protecting vulnerable habitats and species, exercising caution in harvesting things such as fish stocks, restoring habitats, reducing pollution and, critically, curbing climate change.

Experts warn that rebuilding the richness of marine life can only succeed if the most ambitious goals to limit global temperature rises within the international Paris Agreement on climate change are reached.

Information freely taken from science focus.