Studies conducted by the Australian Marine
Conservation Society (AMCS) off the coast of Tasmania have revealed
that lobster fishing results in increased populations of spiny sea
urchins. These species then overgraze kelp beds, causing areas known as
sea urchin barrens, which triggers further biodiversity loss and
disrupts important rocky reef ecosystems.
Moreover, the
scientists found the farmed salmon fishing also has a severe impact on
marine life, with as much as four kilograms of wild fish being killed to
produce one kilogram of Tasmanian salmon. In addition, nearly 18 tons
of antibiotics were fed to these farmed fish from 2006-2008 due to their
susceptibility to disease because of extremely confined conditions,
with as many as 50,000 to a pen.
With temperatures of coastal
waters in eastern Tasmania rising four times faster than the global
average, the researchers warn that human-induced stressors such as
lobster and salmon fishing increase the tolls and reduce the ecosystems’
capacity to adapt. What’s more, the farming of salmon generates vast
amounts of toxic waste that are now polluting the once-pristine
Tasmanian environment.
Our gratefulness, Australian Marine
Conservation Society scientists for these findings. May all people
quickly heed the urgency of this information and switch to wholesome
vegan lifestyles for the conservation of precious marine life.
During
a May 2009 videoconference in Togo, Supreme Master Ching Hai spoke, as
on previous occasions, about the marine biodiversity loss that is mainly
caused by fish consumption.
Supreme
Master Ching Hai: Balanced marine ecosystems are extremely
important, as more than two-thirds of the planet is covered by oceans.
They provide half of the world’s oxygen and play a major part in
regulating the global climate. To disturb the balance of the seas, thus,
ultimately places our own lives in danger.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: What we are
seeing from these fish and marine life are signs of distress.
stop
eating the flesh; stop killing for food; stop eating the fish.
We
should be looking for ways to help the fish, to protect them and all
the marine life from the devastating effects of climate change. Once we
start thinking in this way, we are in a better position for ourselves,
for the fish and for the planet.
http://www.sciencealert.com.au/news/20091512-20412.htmlhttp://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/12/08/2765421.htm
http://nccnsw.org.au/index.php.option=com_contact&task=view&contact_id=50&Itemid=164
http://www.amcs.org.au/