Sustaining Aquatic Biodiversity and Human Impacts

Species Loss

Decline of marine species due to human activities.

Freshwater Species Risk

33-50% of freshwater species threatened with extinction.

Marine Habitat Loss

Half of coastal wetlands disappeared since 1800.

Coral Reef Decline

70% of coral reefs could vanish by 2050.

Benthic Habitat Disturbance

Benthic habitats disturbed by trawling and dredging.

Tragedy of the Commons

Overexploitation of shared resources leading to depletion.

Bycatch

Unintentionally caught species during fishing.

Marine Pollution

80% of marine pollution originates from land runoff.

Ocean Acidification

Decrease in ocean pH due to CO2 absorption.

Florida Everglades Loss

Threatened by water diversion and invasive species.

Great Lakes Invasion

Introduced species like zebra mussel threaten ecosystems.

Lake Victoria Issues

Overfishing and invasive Nile Perch threaten biodiversity.

Land-Use Planning

Comprehensive strategies to protect waterways.

Fishing Regulations

Set and enforce quotas for sustainable fishing.

Economic Approaches

Reduce or eliminate subsidies for fisheries.

Protected Marine Areas

Establish no-fishing zones to conserve marine life.

Continental Shelf Fisheries

Major fisheries located over continental shelves.

Major Commercial Species

Herring, sardines, and anchovies dominate catches.

Maximum Sustainable Yield

Largest harvestable fish quantity without stock depletion.

Magnuson-Stevens Act

U.S. law to prevent overfishing and ensure yield.

Ghost Fishing

Lost fishing gear continues to capture marine life.

Aquaculture

Controlled rearing of aquatic species for food.

Fish Farming

Cultivating fish in controlled environments.

Fish Ranching

Holding anadromous species before release and harvest.