Overfishing linked to harmful algal blooms. A new study by Swedish researchers found that, along with nitrogenous runoff from livestock raising and agriculture, algal blooms in the Baltic Sea are linked to the decline of certain species of large fish.
Specifically, the research showed that if perch and pike fish populations were healthy and no nitrogen pollution existed, the surrounding waters had only a 10% chance of being afflicted by an algal bloom.
However, in areas where fishing had caused their populations to be substantially reduced, the chances of an algal bloom went up to 50%. The researchers believe that the increase is related to a disruption of the food chain, which in turn affects the ecosystem. Swedish scientists, we appreciate your work that sheds new light on our oceanic environments.
Let us act on such knowledge to protect marine life for a vibrant planet. Supreme Master Ching Hai has often urged for an end to consuming fish and other animal products, to preserve the biosphere and our own peace of mind, as during a May 2009 videoconference in Togo.
Supreme Master Ching Hai: If those fish are all gone, we will see a catastrophic loss of other marine species as well. The coastal ecosystems will also be affected greatly by diseases and algae blooms that release toxins. The ocean is a wonderful recycler that normally can purify the water and create nutrients and turn carbon dioxide into oxygen, etc.
The ocean is a miracle. But if we ruin the ecosystems through overfishing, this will spell disaster for us. SM: It’s better for our body, for our conscience, for our mind, and for the planet to stay away from fish.
We should be vegan.
http://www.nature.com/news/2009/091201/full/news.2009.1116.html?s=news_rss http://news.softpedia.com/news/Algal-Blooms-May-Be-Caused-by-Overfishing-128552.shtmlZambian farming initiative helps mitigate climate change. A growing method has recently received support from the Zambian government and the National Farmers Union for its ability to care for the Earth while tripling crop yields such as maize.
The approach includes minimized tilling along with basins dug to retain water and the planting of nitrogen-fixing legumes and trees that help naturally fertilize the soil. This combination helps crops resist extreme weather and also sequesters carbon emissions. Thus far, over 150,000 farmers have adopted the agriculture technique.
Our hats off Zambian government, the National Farmers Union and all growers for your development and support of Earth-conserving agriculture. Blessed be such an approach in providing abundant fresh produce as well as restoring greater harmony with Mother Earth.
http://www.alertnet.org/db/an_art/60167/2009/10/17-113135-1.htmExtra NewsThe UK’s Environment Agency reports that a two degree Celsius temperature increase has already been noted in the country’s inland rivers, with each degree of rise correlating to a 20% decline in aquatic populations.
http://uk.oneworld.net/article/view/164193/1/246In Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, 121 tons of dead fish washed up on shore along Dubai Creek, with experts saying their demise was caused by suffocation from low oxygen levels due to detrimental pollutants combined with warming water temperatures.
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/displayarticle.asp?xfile=data/theuae/2009/October/theuae_October115.xml§ion=theuae&col=Wildlife preservation non-profit, Borneo Conservation Trust reports that orangutans of Malaysia and Indonesia are on the verge of extinction due to loss of habitat caused by deforestation for palm plantations, which prevents the natural migrational movement necessary for raising their young.
http://www.france24.com/en/node/4952942