Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and are vital for regulating climate, providing food, and supporting biodiversity. However, increasing human population and technological advancements have led to intensified exploitation of ocean resources, resulting in a multitude of ecological problems. The concept of the ‘Tragedy of the Commons’, where shared resources are depleted due to individual self-interest, is particularly relevant to ocean resource management. Recent reports from the IPCC highlight the accelerating impacts of ocean warming and acidification, underscoring the urgency of addressing these issues. This answer will detail the various ecological problems associated with the exploitation and use of oceans and their resources.
Ecological Problems Associated with Ocean Exploitation
Ocean exploitation manifests in several forms, each contributing to distinct ecological problems. These can be broadly categorized as overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction, and climate change impacts exacerbated by ocean activities.
1. Overfishing and Destructive Fishing Practices
- Depletion of Fish Stocks: Unsustainable fishing practices have led to the collapse of numerous fish populations globally. Examples include the collapse of the Northwest Atlantic cod fishery in the early 1990s and the declining tuna populations in the Pacific Ocean.
- Bycatch: Non-target species, including marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles, are often caught and killed as bycatch. Bottom trawling, a particularly destructive method, also damages seafloor habitats.
- Ghost Fishing: Lost or abandoned fishing gear continues to trap and kill marine life for years.
- Impact on Food Webs: Removing top predators disrupts marine food webs, leading to cascading effects throughout the ecosystem.
2. Marine Pollution
- Plastic Pollution: An estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually. This plastic breaks down into microplastics, which are ingested by marine organisms, entering the food chain. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a stark example of this problem.
- Chemical Pollution: Industrial discharge, agricultural runoff (containing fertilizers and pesticides), and oil spills contaminate ocean waters, harming marine life and causing eutrophication (excessive nutrient enrichment leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion).
- Noise Pollution: Shipping, sonar, and seismic surveys generate underwater noise pollution, disrupting marine mammal communication, navigation, and feeding behavior.
- Radioactive Pollution: Nuclear testing and accidents (like Fukushima) release radioactive materials into the ocean, posing long-term threats to marine ecosystems.
3. Habitat Destruction
- Coral Reef Degradation: Coral reefs are highly sensitive ecosystems threatened by ocean acidification, warming waters (coral bleaching), pollution, and destructive fishing practices. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced significant bleaching events in recent years.
- Mangrove Destruction: Mangrove forests, crucial nurseries for many marine species and protectors of coastlines, are being cleared for aquaculture, agriculture, and urban development.
- Seafloor Mining: Deep-sea mining for minerals like polymetallic nodules poses a significant threat to fragile deep-sea ecosystems, which are poorly understood.
- Coastal Development: Construction of ports, marinas, and other coastal infrastructure destroys coastal habitats like salt marshes and seagrass beds.
4. Ocean Acidification and Climate Change Impacts
- Ocean Acidification: The absorption of excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is lowering the pH of ocean waters, making it difficult for marine organisms with calcium carbonate shells (e.g., corals, shellfish) to build and maintain their shells.
- Sea Level Rise: Thermal expansion of water and melting glaciers are causing sea levels to rise, threatening coastal ecosystems and communities.
- Ocean Warming: Rising ocean temperatures are causing shifts in species distribution, coral bleaching, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
- Changes in Ocean Currents: Climate change is altering ocean currents, impacting nutrient distribution and marine productivity.
| Type of Exploitation | Ecological Problem | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Overfishing | Depletion of Fish Stocks | Collapse of Atlantic Cod Fishery |
| Pollution (Plastic) | Microplastic Ingestion | Marine animals in the North Pacific |
| Habitat Destruction | Coral Bleaching | Great Barrier Reef |
| Climate Change | Ocean Acidification | Impact on shellfish populations |
Conclusion
The exploitation of ocean resources presents a complex web of ecological challenges. Addressing these problems requires a multifaceted approach, including sustainable fishing practices, stricter pollution control measures, habitat restoration, and mitigation of climate change. International cooperation, as exemplified by the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water), is crucial for effective ocean governance. A shift towards a ‘blue economy’ – one that prioritizes sustainable use of ocean resources – is essential for ensuring the long-term health and productivity of our oceans. Continued research and monitoring are also vital to understand the evolving impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.