Oceanic Issues

Ocean and Coastal Objectification

Many organizations and conservancy groups struggle with industries and corporations against development, distribution, production and policies that are of imminent danger to the coasts of the Unites States. The U.S economy accounts for a large amount of traffic in our bays. Furthermore, tourism to coastal areas is rampant and endangers species and general ocean conditions. Stakeholders manage our waters and compromise the health and productivity of our oceans and coasts. The nation struggles to maintain power in oil, shipping, gas, exploration and development. The worsening quality of ocean management and the ecosystems inhabiting our waters reflects the aftermath of this pursuit.

Dangerous toxicities affect both mammals that are ingesting the plants and smaller fish and ultimately—humans! The reality is that human health is a direct reflection of the surrounding environment and its given resources, and vice-versa! The interchangeable effects of human development and the environment can range from our diets to our dependence on natural resources and, furthermore, our proposed independence from them!

The manufacturing industries find cheap production material—most of which has no natural way to decompose—and concurrently increase the number of organisms and mammals heading towards extinction. The energy of the oceans ultimately regulates the coastal climates and perpetuates hazardous conditions to other ecosystems beyond the coasts.

Many elements actively contribute to these ocean conditions. Clashing perspectives, governance, and the insatiable economy, are the hands behind power plants, which burn fossil fuels, like coal, and return run-off. Rain and snow accumulate unnatural levels of mercury in all sorts of bodies of water—not necessarily just oceans!

The National Academy of Science study on toxic effects of methylmercury said that, “Because of the beneficial effects of fish consumption, the long term goal needs to be a reduction in the concentrations of mercury in fish rather than the replacement of fish in the diet by other foods. In the interim, the best method of maintaining fish consumption and minimizing mercury exposure [and the exposure to other poisons] is the consumption of fish known to have lower methylmercury concentrations.”

The condition of the ocean is a high priority for resource uses. About 70% of our oxygen comes from kelp and algae, but not all algae are good. The input of nitrogen to the coastal waters of the U.S. creates harmful nutrient run-off, which ultimately results in a loss of sea grass and kelp beds. And areas called dead zones that impact the coral reefs, which support the biodiversity of marine life. The importance of these habitats is enormous.

The Deep Coral Report, done by the State of Deep Coral Ecosystems of the U.S, states the significance of preserving the deep coral communities reporting that, “The high biodiversity associated with deep coral communities is intrinsically valuable and may provide biological research on marine organisms. For example, several deep-water sponges have been shown to contain bioactive compounds of pharmaceutical interest; sponges are often associated with deep coral communities. [Bamboo corals] are being investigated for their medical potential as bone grafts and for the properties of their collagen--like gorgonian.”

As a result of the widespread distribution of underwater coral, and especially some gorgonian and stony coral species living for hundreds of years, deep corals could be the possible alternative to recreating past transformations in the global climate and oceanographic states. The report also states that the calcium carbonate skeletons of corals incorporate trace elements and isotopes that reflect the physical and chemical conditions in which they grew.  In general, the study of the coral’s microchemistry has helped reconstruct the past conditions of our ocean.

In any case, over then next hundred year’s climate change will impact both the marine and coastal ecosystems. Upwelling will impact the distribution of marine resources due to changes within atmospheric circulation. The largest public domain, the ocean, will only tolerate so much interference. The vast resources and medical properties of our oceans become more strained when the interdependence of the land and sea is not reflecting proper institutional governance.

Controlling runoff and managing pollution is a matter of Congress conditioning its reforms and policies towards protecting water quality on a water-shed basis, protecting habitats crucial for developing ecosystems, instituting government programs directed towards restoration and creating a framework that addresses emerging problems. First and foremost, the prioritized areas for consideration should be the endangered, threatened or contaminated. What U.S exemption from regulations fails to consider is that the accountability of a fast-paced economy, evolving technology and military expansion is at the cost of our health, our species, our air and our potential at preservation and resourcefulness.

The future is hopeful, which is why humans need to be conscious of their consumption, of what they are draining into the gutters, and most importantly, of the political realm. Writing letters to political representatives and joining good non-profit organizations is a great way to support proper management of our natural ecosystems! Most of these groups function as the watchdogs of powerful corporations like the oil and shipping industries and they need the support of people like you!

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