Marine Life Halved in Last 40 Years

Marine vertebrate populations declined by 49% between 1970 and 2012, according to the 2015 World Wildlife Report. Nearly six thousand populations, and over one thousand species of mammals, reptiles, birds, and fish were included in this study. In addition to the decline in these species, the report also announced that half of the world’s coral, and one-third of all seagrasses have been lost.

Yet while these marine species suffer, the average per capita fish consumption has increased 94% globally. It is no surprise then that when you combine rampant human population growth with the ensuing degree of everyday thoughtless human exploitation and consumption that comes with it , you have the key drivers of the declines in these marine populations. Habitat loss and degradation also play a role, though smaller.

Strategies for halting these losses include primarily ending the consumption of ocean animals by humans and also increasing protection for coastal and marine areas. These actions need to be taken immediately and collectively before we lose the remaining half of ocean life.

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Pictured:A dead turtle washed up in Alabama
Picture from www.weanimals.org