State of the World's Oceans

ISBN-13: 9781402091155 / Angielski / Twarda / 2008 / 256 str.

Michelle Allsopp; Richard Page; Paul Johnston

Opis

The world s oceans cover 70% of the earth s surface and are home to a myriad of amazing and beautiful creatures. However, the biodiversity of the oceans is incre- ingly coming under serious threat from many human activities including overfi- ing, use of destructive fishing methods, pollution and commercial aquaculture. In addition, climate change is already having an impact on some marine ecosystems. This book discusses some of the major threats facing marine ecosystems by cons- ering a range of topics, under chapters discussing biodiversity (Chapter 1), fisheries (Chapter 2), aquaculture (Chapter 3), pollution (Chapter 4) and the impacts of increasing greenhouse gas emissions (Chapter 5). It goes on to explore solutions to the problems by discussing equitable and sustainable management of the oceans (Chapter 6) and protecting marine ecosystems using marine reserves (Chapter 7). Presently, 76% of the oceans are fully or over-exploited with respect to fishing, and many species have been severely depleted. It is abundantly clear that, in general, current fisheries management regimes are to blame for much of the widespread degradation of the oceans. Many policy-makers and scientists now agree that we must adopt a radical new approach to managing the seas one that is precautionary in nature and has protection of the whole marine ecosystem as its primary objective. This ecosystem-based approach is vital if we are to ensure the health of our oceans for future generations."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"A very comprehensive assessment of where we are in terms of the major threats to the seas of the world ... a very valuable book, particularly for undergraduate level" (Professor Martin J. Attrill, Professor of Marine Ecology, Associate Head of School (Research): Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological Sciences, University of Plymouth, UK)

"Timely, well-informed and exhaustively referenced" (Dr. Mark Everard, Visiting Research Fellow, University of West of England, Independent sustainability consultant, author and broadcaster)

"The chapters on equity and greenhouse effects on marine environments provide information and perspective that will be new to many readers ... . Anyone interested in perils facing marine habitats, resources, and uses can learn much from this book ... . Summing Up: Recommended. ... Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, and general readers." (S. R. Fegley, Choice, Vol. 46 (11), July, 2009)

"This book provides a review of major issues relating to marine ecosystems. ... The most recent citations in the reference list are from 2007 ... . The book will be of interest to students of marine conservation policy and governance as an example of viewing a complex set of management problems through a single sectoral prism." (Richard Kenchington, Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, Vol. 17, December, 2010)

Spis treści

1 Biodiversity 1.1 Introduction to Biodiversity 1.2 The Deep Oceans 1.3 Biodiversity Hotspots at Sea in the Pelagic (Open Water) Zone 1.4 Coral Reefs 1.5 Mangroves 1.6 Seagrasses 2 Fisheries 2.1 Introduction 2.2 State of the World's Fish Stocks 2.3 Fishery Collapses and Declines of Marine Fish 2.4 Whaling and Declines of Cetaceans (Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises) 2.5 Fishing Methods of Concern 2.6 By-catch of Seabirds, Marine Mammals and Turtles 2.7 Towards Sustainable Fisheries 3 Aquaculture 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Negative Impacts of Aquaculture on People and on the Environment 3.3 Use of Fishmeal, Fish Oil and Low Value or 'Trash' Fish in Aquaculture Feeds, and Associated Problems 3.4 Moving Towards More Sustainable Aquaculture Feedstuffs 3.5 Moving Towards More Sustainable Aquaculture Systems 3.6 Recommendations 4 Pollution 4.1 Chemical Pollution 4.2 Radioactive Pollution 4.3 Nutrient Pollution and Marine 'Dead Zones' 4.4 Oil Pollution 4.5 Plastic Debris 5 Increasing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Impacts on the Marine Environment 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Sea Surface Temperature Increase 5.3 Sea-Level rise 5.4 Climate Change and Fishing 5.6 Climate Change and the Arctic 5.7 Climate Change and the Antarctic 5.8 Ocean Acidification and Its Impacts on Marine Organisms 5.9 The Way Forward 6 Equity 6.1 Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing (Pirate Fishing) 6.2 Tuna Ranching and Pirate Fishing: Wiping out Tuna in the Mediterranean Sea 6.3 Freedom for the Seas 6.4 Unfair Fisheries 6.5 Trade Liberalisation (Free Trade) Means Empty Oceans 6.6 Towards Sustainable Fisheries 7 Marine Reserves 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Marine Reserves Defined 7.3 Benefits of Marine Reserves 7.4 Planning ofMarine Reserves 7.5 Implementation of Marine Reserves Conclusion Appendix References Index

O autorze

1957 wurde Paul Johnston in Edinburgh, Schottland, geboren. Bereits sein Vater Ronald war ein erfolgreicher Thriller-Autor. Er selber begann 1989 mit dem Schreiben, als er auf die kleine Insel Antiparos in der griechischen Ägäis zog. Heute lebt er mit seiner Frau und seinen Töchtern abwechselnd in Griechenland und England.

Blurb

This book provides a contemporary overview of the world’s oceans. It identifies and describes the various problems which continue to threaten environmental quality and biodiversity, ranging from overfishing to the complex changes which could take place as a result of global climate change. Written by scientists working at the Greenpeace Research Laboratories at the University of Exeter in the UK, it is based upon the latest published scientific information. It draws upon the considerable and unique experience of Greenpeace as an organisation working on a diverse array of marine conservation issues at the international scale. The book is designed to serve a wide readership, both as a source of reliable information and as an introduction to the wide literature which exists on marine conservation issues. It is designed to be accessible by those pursuing academic studies as well as those with a more general interest in the factors which are shaping our oceans. As well as identifying the many problems, the book also outlines the ways in which the foundations and building blocks for clean, healthy and biodiverse seas can be provided, especially through the development of a global network of marine reserves.