Human actions 'impacting on all areas of oceans', map shows
Section of the map showing humans' impact on world's oceans
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Friday, 15, Feb 2008 02:13
No areas of the world's oceans are completely untouched by human activities and only four per cent is relatively pristine, scientists said today.
The first-ever global map of total human effects on oceans shows that 40 per cent of the world's oceans are heavily affected by human activities.
Areas with the most heavily-affected waters include large areas of the North Sea, the South and East China Seas and the Caribbean Sea.
Least-affected areas are largely close to the poles, according to the study published in the journal Science.
Scientists created the map by overlaying maps of 17 different activities such as fishing, climate change and pollution.
They then synthesised global data on human impacts to marine ecosystems including coral reefs, continental shelves and the deep ocean.
Combined together, the results showed a situation which the study's lead author Ben Halpern, assistant research scientist at the National Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, described as "much worse" than most people would expect.
Andrew Rosenberg, a professor of natural resources at the University of New Hampshire, added: "Clearly we can no longer just focus on fishing or coastal wetland loss or pollution as if they are separate effects.
"These human impacts overlap in space and time, and in far too many cases the magnitude is frighteningly high.
"The message for policymakers seems clear to me: conservation action that cuts across the whole set of human impacts is needed now in many places around the globe."
The authors say the maps are not yet complete, as many human activities are poorly studied or lack good data.
Commenting on steps to protect oceans, Dr Halpern said: "There is definitely room for hope.
"With targeted efforts to protect the chunks of the ocean that remain relatively pristine, we have a good chance of preserving these areas in good condition."