Threats to the Ocean

Oceans are essential to life on Earth: 70% of our planet’s surface is covered by water. Marine biodiversity plays a vital role in maintaining the functionality and productivity of ecosystems, and helps stabilize the global climate. Fish is the main source of animal protein for more than a billion human beings and also a source of income for millions of families around the world. But the oceans are suffering… 

The intensive exploitation of the marine world by humans is not a recent phenomenon, but in the last few decades it has undergone a brutal and tragic acceleration. Extraordinary technological progress and the shrinking of geographical limits have transformed large-scale fishing into an existential threat to ocean biodiversity. Over the centuries, humans have often considered the marine environment to be an inexhaustible resource, but all the experts in the field now agree that the ocean’s resources are not only limited, they are in an alarming state of decline. 

For those who want to have a better understanding of the issues, this section explores the main threats affecting life in and around the oceans: pollution, ocean grabbing, aquaculture, overfishing, pirate fishing, and climate change.