1.2 billion people depend on the oceans as a primary source of protein, while millions more require it for income, entertainment, and a sense of spiritual well-being. They regulate the earth’s climate, create oxygen for the atmosphere, and act as a sink for carbon dioxide, absorbing 500 billion tons in the last 250 years.
I could go on and on listing the benefits of healthy oceans, but I think you get the idea (email me if you want the big list!). However, what you might not know is that despite all these obvious benefits for economies, physical and emotional health, and the planet, many people tend to forget the importance of the oceans – let’s call it under water, under the radar.
So I’d like to take a moment to put a couple timely ocean issues on your radar:
- Last week, thousands of Oceana supporters sent comments to the U.S. government in favor of proposed protections for eight shark species, Atlantic bluefin tuna, and pink and red corals through an international agreement known as CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species). In March, the U.S. (and Oceana) will attend meetings in Doha, Qatar to determine the level of protection for these species.
- Also last week, NOAA (National Oceanographic Atmospheric Administration) issued a proposed rule to designate more than 70,000 square miles of critical habitat for endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtles in the waters off of California, Oregon and Washington. The proposal was in response to a petition submitted in September 2007 by Oceana, the Center for Biological Diversity and Turtle Island Restoration Network.
Stay tuned for more…
Nautica has contributed to Oceana to support its mission to protect the world’s oceans.
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