An 18-year study of
coral reefs off the coast
of Kenya conducted
jointly by scientists
from the Wildlife
Conservation Society and
University of California
in the USA found
a significant connection
between fishing
and declining health
of coral reefs.
In particular,
the researchers found that
the removal of especially
certain species of fish
upset the balance of
the reef ecosystems and
resulted in an overgrowth
of sea urchins.
The urchins then were
found to consume a type
of algae that normally
assists in rebuilding
the coral reef systems.
In the study,
regions where fishing
was banned were noted
to have fewer sea urchins
and correspondingly
more healthy reefs.
Besides their remarkable
beauty, coral reefs are
vital to ocean ecosystems,
providing homes to over
a million fish species and
25% of all marine life,
while also offering
natural protection from
the damaging effect
of storms.
Lead researcher
Dr. Tim McClanahan
of the University of
California at Santa Cruz
stated, “This study
illustrates the cascading
effects of [fish] loss
on a reef system
and the importance
of maintaining fish
populations for coral health.”
Many thanks,
Dr. McClanahan
and associates at both the
University of California
and Wildlife
Conservation Society,
for your insightful research
on coral reef ecosystems.
Let us swiftly step
to ensure the protection
of all life for the survival
of marine and
other natural habitats
that are so vital
to our planetary balance.
During an October 2009
videoconference
in Indonesia,
Supreme Master Ching Hai
spoke as on many
previous occasions
of the problems caused
by killing practices
such as fishing as she
urged the foregoing of
all animal products
to save the environment
and ultimately ourselves.
Supreme Master Ching Hai : In your country,
Indonesia, where
overfishing is common
in the precious
coral reef areas, one
report has put it this way,
I quote exactly from
that report: “Overfishing
is causing more damage
to the coral reefs than
earthquakes or tsunamis.”
Overfishing has caused
the remaining fish to be
smaller, so the mesh size
of the nets has been
decreased to
capture smaller fish,
resulting in other fish
being caught as well.
The other fish that
the fishers don't need
are also being caught there.
So, it destroys even more
marine ecosystems and
destroys more fish life.
The Indonesian
government also
acknowledged
the devastated oceans
due to fishing, and
also said that 94% of
Indonesia's coral reefs
are dying - just
in your country alone.
So you can see
the animal diet,
the animals industry
is killing marine life,
killing our sea,
killing coral reefs, killing
all that is important
and protective to us -
just for the sake
of immediate profit,
we're killing our world
and we are killing
ourselves.
If we truly wish to see
real harmony,
we must be the harmony,
which includes the act
of eating harmoniously
each time
we come to the table.
Peace, compassion,
mercy begin
on our plate.
http://www.upi.com/Science_News/2011/01/14/Overfishing-blamed-for-ocean-reef-loss/UPI-18771295044193/
,
http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-01-fisheries-coral-reefs-faster.html