PESERTA PENDIDIKAN DASAR MPA AESCULAP

ANGKATAN XXX
Oceans
The oceans are home to a diverse collection of life
forms that use it as a habitat. Since sunlight
illuminates only the upper layers, the major part of the
ocean exists in permanent darkness. As the different
depth and temperature zones each provide habitat for
a unique set of species, the marine environment as a
whole encompasses an immense diversity of life.
Marine habitats range from surface water to the
deepest oceanic trenches, including coral reefs, kelp
forests, seagrass meadows,tidepools, muddy, sandy
and rocky seabeds, and the open pelagic zone. The
organisms living in the sea range from whales 30
meters (100 ft) long to microscopic phytoplankton
and zooplankton, fungi, bacteria and viruses,
including recently discovered marine
bacteriophages which live parasitically inside bacteria.
Marine life
Marine life plays an important part in the carbon
cycle as photosynthetic organisms convert dissolved
carbon dioxide into organic carbon and it is
economically important to humans for
providing fish for use as food.
For centuries people have regarded them as an
inexhaustible supply of food, a useful transport route,
and a convenient dumping ground - simply too vast to
be affected by anything we do.

But human activity, particularly over the last few
decades, has finally pushed oceans to their limit.

Human activity that harm the seas
1. Unsustainable fishing
Massive overfishing
The global fishing fleet is 2-3 times larger than what
the oceans can sustainably support.

In other words, people are taking far more fish out of
the ocean than can be replaced by those remaining.


Needless slaughter
It's not just the fish we eat that are affected.

Each year, billions of unwanted fish and other animals
- like dolphins, marine turtles, seabirds, sharks, and
corals - die due to inefficient, illegal, and destructive
fishing practices.

2. Inadequate protection
Not enough protection and lack of proper
management

Marine species and habitats do not exist in isolation.
They are part of an intricate web of ocean life where
the health of one species is dependant on the health of
the entire system. Therefore it makes sense to protect
the system as a whole rather than looking solely at
single species or one patch of reef.

Conflicting priorites
Marine park managers - and the governments and non-
profit organizations that support them - must often juggle
conflicting national and local priorities coming from a
variety of sectors, such as industry, artisanal fishers,
commercial fishers, tour operators, local town councils,
farmers, and scientific researchers.

In addition, park managers often have extremely limited
budgets and staff, and frequently rely on community
participation and volunteers to carry out much of the
essential work.

Sensitive habitats at risk

Of particular concern is the current lack of protection for a
number of sensitive habitats and areas. These include:
coral reefs and mangrove forests
deep seas
the High Seas
particularly sensitive areas at risk from shipping activities
breeding grounds for commercially important fish

3. Tourism and development
The beach is not just a favourite holiday destination, its
our favourite place to live. Around the world, coastlines
have been steadily turned into new housing and tourist
developments, and many beaches all but disappear
under flocks of holiday-makers each year. This intense
human presence is taking its toll on marine life.

4. Shipping
The oceans are huge highways, across which we ship all
kinds of goods. Like other human activities, this heavy
traffic is leaving its mark: oil spills, ship groundings,
anchor damage, and the dumping of rubbish, ballast
water, and oily waste are endangering marine habitats
around the world.

This damage is caused by:
Release of oil and chemicals: through accidental
spills andoperational discharges
Transfer of invasive alien species: through ballast water and
on ship hulls
Release of biocides: from toxic chemicals used in
antifouling paints
Dumping of waste: such as garbage and sewage
Air pollution: through emission of sulphur dioxide,
nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide
Physical and other damage: through dropping of anchors,
noise and wave disturbances, and striking of whales and
other marine mammals

5. Oil and gas
Important reserves of oil, gas, and minerals lie deep
beneath the seafloor. However, prospecting and
drilling for these poses a major threat to sensitive
marine habitats and species

Valuable areas under threat
In many cases, oil and gas exploration and drilling is
permitted in or near Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).
WWF believes that the threat posed by oil
developments - and the oil and gas industry's track
record in often failing to protect the environment
adequately - makes such developments too big a risk
to be allowed near or in MPAs.

6. Pollution
Untreated sewage, garbage, fertilizers, pesticides,
industrial chemicals most of the pollutants on land
eventually make their way into the ocean, either
deliberately dumped there or entering from water run-
off and the atmosphere. Not surprisingly, this
pollution is harming the entire marine food chain - all
the way up to humans.
Oil
Oil spills cause huge damage to the marine environment -
but in fact are responsible for only around 12% of the oil
entering the seas each year. According to a study by the US
National Research Council, 36% comes down drains and
rivers as waste and runoff from cities and industry.

Fertilizers
Fertilizer runoff from farms and lawns is a huge problem
for coastal areas. The extra nutrients cause eutrophication -
flourishing of algal blooms that deplete the water's
dissolved oxygen and suffocate other marine life.
Seas of garbage
Solid garbage also makes its way to the ocean. Plastic
bags, balloons, glass bottles, shoes, packaging material
if not disposed of correctly, almost everything we
throw away can reach the sea.

Plastic garbage, which decomposes very slowly, is often
mistaken for food by marine animals.
Toxic chemicals
Almost every marine organism, from the tiniest
plankton to whales and polar bears, is contaminated with
man-made chemicals, such as pesticides and chemicals
used in common consumer products.
Some of these chemicals enter the sea through
deliberate dumping. For centuries, the oceans have been a
convenient dumping ground for waste generated on land.
This continued until the 1970s, with dumping at sea the
accepted practise for disposal of nearly everything,
including toxic material such as pesticides, chemical
weapons, and radioactive waste.
To save the ocean and maintain its
balance
1. Mind Your Carbon Footprint and Reduce Energy
Consumption
Reduce the effects of climate change on the ocean by
leaving the car at home when you can and being
conscious of your energy use at home and work. A few
things you can do to get started today: Switch to
compact fluorescent light bulbs, take the stairs, and
bundle up or use a fan to avoid oversetting your
thermostat.

2. Make Safe, Sustainable Seafood Choices
Global fish populations are rapidly being depleted due
to demand, loss of habitat, and unsustainable fishing
practices. When shopping or dining out, help reduce
the demand for overexploited species by choosing
seafood that is both healthful and sustainable.

3. Use Fewer Plastic Products
Plastics that end up as ocean debris contribute to
habitat destruction and entangle and kill tens of
thousands of marine animals each year. To limit your
impact, carry a reusable water bottle, store food in
nondisposable containers, bring your own cloth tote or
other reusable bag when shopping, and recycle
whenever possible.

4. Help Take Care of the Beach
Whether you enjoy diving, surfing, or relaxing on the
beach, always clean up after yourself. Explore and
appreciate the ocean without interfering with wildlife
or removing rocks and coral. Go even further by
encouraging others to respect the marine environment
or by participating in local beach cleanups.

5. Don't Purchase Items That Exploit Marine Life
Certain products contribute to the harming of fragile
coral reefs and marine populations. Avoid purchasing
items such as coral jewelry, tortoiseshell hair
accessories (made from hawksbill turtles), and shark
products.

6. Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner
Read pet food labels and consider seafood
sustainability when choosing a diet for your pet. Never
flush cat litter, which can contain pathogens harmful
to marine life. Avoid stocking your aquarium with
wild-caught saltwater fish, and never release any
aquarium fish into the ocean or other bodies of water,
a practice that can introduce non-native species
harmful to the existing ecosystem.

7. Support Organizations Working to Protect the
Ocean
Many institutes and organizations are fighting to
protect ocean habitats and marine wildlife. Find a
national organization and consider giving financial
support or volunteering for hands-on work or
advocacy. If you live near the coast, join up with a local
branch or group and get involved in projects close to
home.

8. Influence Change in Your Community
Research the ocean policies of public officials before
you vote or contact your local representatives to let
them know you support marine conservation projects.
Consider patronizing restaurants and grocery stores
that offer only sustainable seafood, and speak up about
your concerns if you spot a threatened species on the
menu or at the seafood counter.

9. Travel the Ocean Responsibly
Practice responsible boating, kayaking, and other
recreational activities on the water. Never throw
anything overboard, and be aware of marine life in the
waters around you. If youre set on taking a cruise for
your next vacation, do some research to find the most
eco-friendly option.

10. Educate Yourself About Oceans and Marine
Life
All life on Earth is connected to the ocean and its
inhabitants. The more you learn about the issues
facing this vital system, the more youll want to help
ensure its healththen share that knowledge to
educate and inspire others.

References
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/problem
s_fishing/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/inadequ
ate_protection/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/tourism/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/shipping
/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/oil_gas/
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/blue_planet/problems/pollutio
n/
http://ocean.nationalgeographic.com/ocean/take-action/10-things-you-
can-do-to-save-the-ocean/






THANK YOU
AND
SAVE THE OCEAN