The Last Days of the Ocean

News: We're Pushing Our Seas to the Brink. Can They be Saved? A Mother Jones special report.

March/April 2006 Issue

TOOLS E-mail article Print article BACKTALK E-mail the editor

Fish image The Fate of the Ocean
By Julia Whitty
Assaulted by pollution, overfishing, climate change, trash, and noise, our oceans are approaching a point of no return. The health of the world they feed and protect won't be far behind.
P L U S :
Whales hit the beaches
Polar bears face extinction

Fishing boats The Catch
By Michael W. Robbins
If America's fisheries are regulated, how can they be overfished? Because the regulators and the fishermen are one and the same.
P L U S :
Video: Mike Robbins talks fishery reform on Free Speech TV
The ocean's top enemies
A field guide to failing fish

Fisherman and his catch Net Losses
By H. Bruce Franklin
How a football tycoon took George H. W. Bush's oil company and used it to declare war on the fish that built America.

Prepared plate of fish Navigating the Catch of the Day
By Daniel Duane
Overfishing...mercury...but they taste so good! How to eat fish without fear

Online Exlusives

M O R E S T O R I E S

Julia Whitty Video: The Fate of the Ocean
Mother Jones Radio's Angie Coiro interviews Julia Whitty, author of The Fate of the Ocean, on Link TV.

The Dolphin Defender
Filmmaker and conservationist Hardy Jones on reasons for hope in a sea of troubles.

Fisherman and his catch I'll Take Menhaden
Should this threatened fish be an essential part of your healthy diet?

Saving the Ocean: It's a Question of Leadership
Two "ocean champions" say the problems of the ocean are fundamentally political--and so are the solutions.

Lobster How the Lobster Clawed Its Way Up
A crustacean's climb from pauper's fare to modern-day delicacy

"We All Want More Fish"
The editor of Sport Fishing magazine says many recreational fishers are conservationists at heart.

Harpooned whale (Still) Big in Japan
Thought whale hunting was a thing of the past? Think again.

I Cover the Waterfront
A science journalist evaluates media coverage of the oceans beat.

Toxic Fish and Poor Communities
A Bay Area activist raises awareness about contaminated seafood.

Pesticide in the Water
The EPA is supposed to protect our rivers and oceans. However, ...

A Guide to Environmental Non-Profits
How to distinguish groups doing good from ones that just sound good.

T H E I S S U E S E X P L A I N E D

Not Enough Fish in the Sea: The causes and consequences of overfishing
How to Catch a Fish: Modern methods are more efficient than ever--and more destructive.
Catch as Catch Can: Millions of marine animals are killed "incidentally" every year.
Aquaculture: Fish farming offers a solution to overfishing; but is the environmental cost too high?
Who's In Charge Here? Government and the ocean
Marine Pollution: How the ocean became a toxic waste dump.
Development: Are we loving our coasts to death?
Coral Reefs: There's still time to save some reefs, but just barely.

L E A R N M O R E

A List of Organizations Advocating for and Researching the Oceans

Maps, Charts, and Graphs

A C T N O W

Sign up for Mother Jones' Ocean Voyager, an exciting online journey to the world's ocean hotspots.

Resources for getting involved

Illustration By: Yuko Shimizu

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OS25M-17 Measuring the Interaction Between the Healths of Coral Reef Ecosystems and Coastal Communities Hatcher Research Associates Corp., 34a Fenwood Road, Halifax, NS B3N 1G8 Canada Cape Breton University, Bras d'Or Institute P.O. Box 5300, Sydney, NS B1P 6L2 Canada AGU.org: Coral reefs are the world's most celebrated indicators of ocean health. While the global trajectory of coral reef health is now well documented, and the accompanying loss of economic benefits increasingly demonstrated, the consequences in terms of human health have been largely ignored. Reefs provide a wide array of benefits to humans, contributing most directly to the health of subsistence fishing communities located on adjacent coasts and islands. Interactions between human and marine ecosystem health are complex, bidirectional and nonlinear. Quantitative data on human health outcomes are rarely available in formats or contexts that allow unequivocal linkages to ocean health. We draw on a broad range of data and experience to identify key links in the ecological chain from the coral polyp to the human society. Our conclusions are that humans are components of coral reef ecosystems, few studies of reef health incorporate human health, few data are available to quantify the health services reefs provide to people, and human health security is essential to the preservation of coral reef ecosystems. NOAA.gov: Coral bleaching is not well understood by scientists. Many different hypotheses exist as to the cause behind coral bleaching: REF:http://www.coral.noaa.gov/cleo/coral_bleaching.shtml LL: Please consider this: If scientists/we don't understand how coral polyps communicate with each other, so that coral spawning occurs throughout an entire reef, at the exact same moment in time, at night, without emitting a single sound and with no change in lighting, flawlessly, for millions of years... ... If the coral reef polyps can (and they do) communicate this event, would it be surprising that global industries dumping millions of tons of deadly chemicals into Oceans around the world...for decades... might interfere with such a delicate and miraculous balance. ... How sadly ironic... we do not understand how it works... but we do understand that the toxins industry dumps... are toxins... dumped to improve their bottom line... dumped into the only living Oceans in the entire universe... and there are legal pathways in place to dump more, if they pay a fee to the government. REF: Link to article (AGU.org) Your comments are welcome, Larry (at) OpenDoorWorld.com

Posted by:LarryJune 26, 2007 9:50:24 PMRespond ^

Measuring the Interaction Between the Healths of Coral Reef Ecosystems and Coastal Communities Hatcher Research Associates Corp., 34a Fenwood Road, Halifax, NS B3N 1G8 Canada, Cape Breton University, Bras d'Or Institute P.O. Box 5300, Sydney, NS B1P 6L2 Canada AGU.org: Coral reefs are the world's most celebrated indicators of ocean health. While the global trajectory of coral reef health is now well documented, and the accompanying loss of economic benefits increasingly demonstrated, the consequences in terms of human health have been largely ignored. Reefs provide a wide array of benefits to humans, contributing most directly to the health of subsistence fishing communities located on adjacent coasts and islands. Interactions between human and marine ecosystem health are complex, bidirectional and nonlinear. Quantitative data on human health outcomes are rarely available in formats or contexts that allow unequivocal linkages to ocean health. We draw on a broad range of data and experience to identify key links in the ecological chain from the coral polyp to the human society. Our conclusions are that humans are components of coral reef ecosystems, few studies of reef health incorporate human health, few data are available to quantify the health services reefs provide to people, and human health security is essential to the preservation of coral reef ecosystems. NOAA.gov: Coral bleaching is not well understood by scientists. Many different hypotheses exist as to the cause behind coral bleaching: REF:http://www.coral.noaa.gov/cleo/coral_bleaching.shtml LL: Please consider this: If scientists/we don't understand how the coral reef polyps can communicate with each other... so that coral spawning occurs throughout an entire reef, at the exact same moment in time, at night, without emitting a single sound and with no change in lighting, flawlessly, for millions of years... ... If the coral reef polyps can (and they do) communicate this event, would it not be surprising that industries dumping millions of tons of toxic chemicals into Oceans around the world... for decades... just might interfere with such a delicate and miraculous balance. ... How sadly ironic... we do not understand how it works... but we do understand that the toxins industry dumps... are toxins... dumped to improve their bottom line... dumped into the only living Oceans in the entire universe... and there are legal pathways in place to dump more, if they pay a fee to the government. REF: Link to article (AGU.org) Please share this "conversation" in order to stop a common generalization... "dilution is the solution"... that has enabled millions of the tons of toxic chemicals to be dumped into the "The Silent World". As we awaken to the collapse of our oceans, we see the consequences of giving a "green light" to industry to dump millions of tons of known deadly toxins into the only known living Oceans in the entire universe. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, must be looking down at the Oceans, with their dying Coral Reefs, with tears in his eyes. Now that the damage has been done... and the profits have been made... by industry... and spent... do you think it is fair to ask the citizens to pick up the tab for industry's cleanup of PCB's and PBDE's, when they already got the massive profits... and dumped their damaged goods into the only living Oceans in the entire universe. citation célèbre [ famous quote ]: It is difficult for most people to understand something, while their pay check depends on their not understanding it ... Your comments are welcome, Larry (at) http://OpenDoorWorld.com

Posted by:OpenDoorWorld.comJuly 3, 2007 11:53:13 PMRespond ^

Have you seen this. Herein lies the real cause. We must stop allowing the powers to divert us via talking about effects. Despite dates mentioned I first read of it in our papers in the late 60s & how scientists feared the practice way back then. Cheers http://www.guba.com/watch/2000 915475?category_id=525&duratio n_step=0&fil%20lter_tiny=0&pp=40&sb=5&set=5&sf=0&size_step=0 &o=17&s%20sample=1181546641:75 f761e7edefe279f6989f32ce499fed4be2bc87

Posted by:JudithJuly 14, 2007 2:09:07 AMRespond ^

There is SOOO much talk, so many articles and photos and films and books about the destruction of the planet by those with deep pockets and political muscle.. is it possible that SOMETHING is being done to stop all this horror? I feel totally overwhelmed by the ongoing greed, ignorance, and indifference of those who have the power and resources to turn things around. I so often wish I could win a large lottery, so I could at least do one small thing to save an inch or two of land or sea.. is there no good news to report?

Posted by:corneliaAugust 14, 2007 4:44:37 AMRespond ^

His Holiness, Dalai Lama XIV , Tenzin Gyatso (born 6 July 1935) is the fourteenth and current Dalai Lama. As such, he is often referred to in Western media simply as the Dalai Lama, without any qualifiers. The fifth of sixteen children of a farming family in the Tibetan province of Amdo, he was proclaimed the tulku (rebirth) of the thirteenth Dalai Lama at the age of two. On 17 November 1950, at the age of fifteen, he was enthroned as Tibet's Head of State and most important political ruler, while Tibet faced occupation by the forces of the People's Republic of China.[1] After the collapse of the Tibetan resistance movement in 1959, Tenzin Gyatso fled to India, where he was active in establishing the Central Tibetan Administration (the Tibetan government in exile) and in seeking to preserve Tibetan culture and education among the thousands of refugees who accompanied him.[2] A charismatic figure and noted public speaker, Tenzin Gyatso is the first Dalai Lama to travel to the West. There, he has helped to spread Buddhism and to promote the concepts of universal responsibility, secular ethics, and religious harmony. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.[3] Contents [hide] 1 Early life and background 2 Life as the Dalai Lama 2.1 Exile in India 2.2 Teaching activity 2.3 Foreign relations 3 Social and political stances 3.1 Tibetan independence movement 3.2 Social stances 3.3 Criticism 4 International influence 5 Retirement 6 Writings of the Dalai Lama 7 Awards and honors given to the Dalai Lama 7.1 Nobel Peace Prize 8 Films about the Dalai Lama 9 See also 10 References 11 External links

Posted by:jesusAugust 29, 2007 11:37:48 PMRespond ^

I met a LLama once and it didnt even talk..let alone knoe anything about politics or religion...not sure what all the fuss is about myself....

Posted by:JohnNovember 4, 2007 9:01:29 PMRespond ^

ok your or

Posted by:loganNovember 14, 2007 8:35:00 AMRespond ^

TO JASON SHYGUY you know for $ex i just got dumped during it it fels so good!

Posted by:Candas (205)221-7180January 11, 2008 9:04:20 AMRespond ^

candas this is a web site about sicence NOT FOR TALKING SEX UR DICUSTING

Posted by:believer u should believeJanuary 11, 2008 9:19:13 AMRespond ^

Hey I'm 15 trying to save the coral reefs in the word so help me out!! the coral is a big deal so... we need to get it out in the world that it needs to be saved!! It removes and recycles carbon dioxcide from the air. so it helps us!!!

Posted by:mikey hallApril 9, 2008 9:05:53 AMRespond ^

I will help you so let's get it out to the world startin now!!

peace out!!

Posted by:Sabra jordanApril 9, 2008 9:07:57 AMRespond ^

the ocean is siiiiiiiiiiiick

Posted by:skittlesApril 16, 2008 11:06:14 AMRespond ^

50 years old

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 16, 2008 11:36:05 AMRespond ^

Do you know if there is a website that reports on daily ocean pollution? I think it would be important for people to know if their beaches are safe to enter.
Thanks,
Ben

Posted by:Ben HillanApril 24, 2008 6:09:06 PMRespond ^

WAAAAAAAAAATSSSSSSSUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPP?????
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 25, 2008 11:01:18 AMRespond ^

ur back?

Posted by:leAnnApril 25, 2008 11:01:47 AMRespond ^

wat up LeAnn

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 25, 2008 11:05:48 AMRespond ^

nottn and u?

Posted by:leAnnApril 25, 2008 11:07:56 AMRespond ^

who are you????

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 25, 2008 11:08:20 AMRespond ^

HAS ANYBODY READ EMOS WEEKLY YET??????
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:Panic at the disoc lvrApril 25, 2008 11:08:48 AMRespond ^

y do u want to know

Posted by:leAnnApril 25, 2008 11:10:06 AMRespond ^

cause i want to know who i think about at night haha jk who r u though

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 25, 2008 11:11:48 AMRespond ^

I THINK I KNO LANN! DO I KNO WHO YOU R??
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:Panic a tthe disco lvrApril 25, 2008 11:14:18 AMRespond ^

its leann and u dont

Posted by:leAnnApril 25, 2008 11:17:34 AMRespond ^

read the name

Posted by:panic at the disco sucksApril 28, 2008 11:06:59 AMRespond ^

SUPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OH HEAR THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"SILLY [deleted]GET DIX R 4 CHIX"
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:10:00 AMRespond ^

read the name

Posted by:the devil wears prada rksApril 28, 2008 11:10:32 AMRespond ^

O!!!!
LEANNZ A HO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:11:28 AMRespond ^

u r a ho!

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:14:11 AMRespond ^

met a LLama once and it didnt even talk..let alone knoe anything about politics or religion...not sure what all the fuss is about myself....its name was john

Posted by:panic at the disco sucksApril 28, 2008 11:14:33 AMRespond ^

im bored

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 11:14:39 AMRespond ^

dont talk abot leann like that!

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 28, 2008 11:15:13 AMRespond ^

.......
i forgot i have inhouse lunch.... gay

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 11:15:25 AMRespond ^

GU FUC UR SELF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LEANN U UGLY HAG MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
[deleted] BITCH HO SLUT AND O YEA UR BOYFRIEND SAYS HI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:16:13 AMRespond ^

-KEEPIN IT EMO's gay seren

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 11:17:46 AMRespond ^

panic at the disco sucks dick

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 28, 2008 11:18:07 AMRespond ^

ur mom was awesome.....in bed

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 28, 2008 11:19:20 AMRespond ^

U DONT TALK ABOUT PANIC THAT WAY!!!!!
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:19:59 AMRespond ^

hey daniel stfu you fat ass

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:21:12 AMRespond ^

EEEEEW
idk any1 name danuel
but if i did.............

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:23:56 AMRespond ^

guys im bi sexual btw

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:25:52 AMRespond ^

wtf?

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 11:26:10 AMRespond ^

I am NOT!

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:27:53 AMRespond ^

i want to lick on my brothers big nose all night long

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 11:27:57 AMRespond ^

kay.... ggbored =ir0n-Ma1d3n

Posted by:ir0n-Ma1d3nApril 28, 2008 11:28:17 AMRespond ^

steves gonna post [deleted] about me so dont read it

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 28, 2008 11:29:06 AMRespond ^

you fat [deleted] daniel

Posted by:ir0n-Ma1d3nApril 28, 2008 11:29:27 AMRespond ^

YEA GGBORED GOOD 2 KNO!
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:30:26 AMRespond ^

omg guys theres this guy in school he is so hot omg his name is steve

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:31:21 AMRespond ^

wow really leann ty :)

Posted by:ir0n-Ma1d3nApril 28, 2008 11:32:24 AMRespond ^

IRONMALD????? SOUNDS LIKE A COMPUTER GEEEK!
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:32:29 AMRespond ^

yeah i dont kno any1 name steve so dont flatter ur self

Posted by:leAnnApril 28, 2008 11:33:45 AMRespond ^

wtf? its iron maiden you stupid [deleted]

Posted by:ir0n-Ma1d3nApril 28, 2008 11:33:50 AMRespond ^

o.O
-KICKINGG IT FAT

Posted by:panic at the disco lvrApril 28, 2008 11:35:54 AMRespond ^

will you guys shut the [deleted] up

Posted by:bad_skatrApril 28, 2008 11:37:11 AMRespond ^

daniel will you shut the #@$% up?

Posted by:ir0n-Ma1d3nApril 28, 2008 11:39:02 AMRespond ^

everyone i'm gay

Posted by:ggboredApril 28, 2008 3:35:50 PMRespond ^

im agay shot bad haired [deleted]

Posted by:[deleted]_SteveMay 5, 2008 11:36:47 AMRespond ^

again panic sorry for my small font.
AND SHE CALLS ME A POSER/WANNABE OMG I CAN NOT BLIEVE HOWW JEALOUS IM GETTING OVER TIMMY!!!!!!!!! AM I OVER REACTING
-KEEPN IT EMO

Posted by:panic a tthe discoMay 8, 2008 11:30:27 AMRespond ^

is anyone der?

Posted by:cool_prsunMay 22, 2008 11:46:06 AMRespond ^

boring

Posted by:Adonis MartinJune 4, 2008 5:26:10 AMRespond ^

YOu people are sick!! WHo cares if your gay or saw a hot guy!? There are better things to talk about. More important things to talk about. We should take care of the world and protect it. God gave it to us to live in. Respect God and Respect the Earth!

Posted by:nastyJune 5, 2008 2:35:36 PMRespond ^


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