Responses and Solutions:
In order to protect the world’s aquatic biota, humans must first need to adopt a new attitude on how they see themselves in relation to the world and other organism. While it is true that we have adopted more modern strategies for waste reduction, better utilization of distribution channels in contrast to the past, we have a long way to go. As of October 24, 2013, it was reported by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), that marine protected areas cover 2.8%. Although there has been an increase of 0.6% since 2010, this number is far too small if we consider the growing population (Magiera, 2016). Under current trends, it is likely that the world’s aquatic biodiversity can be maintained if it does not increase to roughly 10% by 2020 according to Carl Gustaf Lundin, Director of IUCN’s Global Marine and Polar Programme (Magiera, 2016).
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As of 2013, the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA) reports that 2.8% of the global ocean is protected.In order to protect aquatic biodiversity, there is a need to ensure that there is proper management of marine, coastal and inland water ecosystems. “The health of our planet as well as our own health and future food security all hinge on how we treat the blue world,” states FAO Director-General Jose Graziana da Silva (UN, 2014). Silva then adds that we need to “ensure that environmental well-being is compatible with human well-being in order to make long-term sustainable prosperity a reality after all” (UN, 2014). Currently the EU has made substantial progress when it comes to promoting conservation and recovery of fish biodiversity. Legislations have been passed by the European Parliament and Council designed to protect fish stocks as well as conserving fish biodiversity. Although these laws have been passed, there is still roughly around 22-53% of fish populations in the north-east Atlantic that are below the safe biological limit( Hiddink, 2008). The EU contends that despite current laws, arguing that they do not work in practice, there is a need to “expand its management options by including a broader range of conservation measures based on improved scientific knowledge and process understanding” ( Hiddink, 2008). In order to prompt effective implementation and enforcement, this may have the single greatest impact on reducing the loss of aquatic biodiversity (Hiddink, 2008). As consumers and individuals, we can strive to purchase sustainable fish and well as supporting those who promote biodiversity.