For years, the
ocean has sounded distress signals. We've known for some time that 75 percent of all commercial fish stocks are fully exploited, over-exploited or have collapsed. Now, research published in the scientific journal
Nature reveals that 90 percent of all key predatory fish, including tuna,
sharks, swordfish, marlin, cod, flounder, skates and halibut, are gone, wiped out, mostly by overfishing. For many
species, this could be our last warning.
The ocean – a global life-support system often viewed as infinitely resilient – is in a state of serious decline. Immediate action is necessary to turn the tide for the ocean, and for ourselves.
A challenge of this magnitude needs a response that is aggressive, smart and pragmatic. From May 29-June 3, a first of its kind conference called Defying Ocean's End (DOE) brought together leaders from 20 nations, developing and industrialized, to develop an urgent action plan. Sponsored primarily by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, DOE called upon the expertise of scientists, economists, government and business leaders and several conservation groups. The DOE action agenda that emerged from the conference identifies
priority areas for immediate attention and provides a practical strategy to permanently change how we treat the ocean.
The unprecedented collaboration launched at DOE will continue for years to come, and it will strengthen CI's marine conservation efforts already under way. Recent successes, highlighted in this Frontlines, include a project that helped secure protection of Little Water Caye off the coast of Belize and linked two marine protected sites. Another is coordinating an international effort to create a 520-million-acre marine corridor stretching from
Ecuador's Galapagos Islands to
Costa Rica's Cocos Islands.
To multiply such success, we must engage people from all walks of life and all sectors of society. This global challenge requires a unified, global solution.