Scientists have warned that the world’s oceans have moved into a ?phase of extinction? due to human impacts such as over-fishing and climate change, and the entire ecosystem could be lost in a generation.
A preliminary report from an international panel of marine experts said that the condition of the world’s seas was worsening more quickly than had been predicted; already fish stocks are collapsing, leading to a risk of rising food prices and even starvation in some parts of the world.
The scientists blamed the increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere for pushing up ocean temperatures, boosting algae so there is less oxygen and increasing acidity of the water, ‘The Daily Telegraph’ reported.
The conditions are similar to every previous mass extinction event in the Earth’s history, they say.
Dr Alex Rogers, scientific director of International Programme on the State of the Ocean which convened a workshop at Oxford University, along with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said the next generation would suffer if species are allowed to go extinct. ?As we considered the cumulative effect of what humankind does to the ocean the implications became far worse than we had individually realised. This is a very serious situation demanding unequivocal action at every level.?
?We are looking at consequences for humankind that will impact in our lifetime and, worse, our children’s and generations beyond that,? he was quoted as saying.
The scientists have called for a range of urgent measures to cut carbon emissions, reduce over-fishing, shut unsustainable fisheries, create protected areas in the seas, and cut pollution.