Description
Oceans cover over 70% of the Earth’s surface and contain a diverse array of species, habitats and ecosystems. As many as 100 million species live in our oceans, contributing to a rich biodiversity far exceeding that found on land. Marine extinction risk has ramped up rapidly in the past 50 years, to converge upon the level of risk seen on land. People use and benefit from oceans and coasts in a number of important ways – through recreational activities, coastal living, tourism, fishing, shipping, and exploiting reserves of oil, gas and minerals found beneath the sea floor in many parts of the world. What are the human and climate change-related impacts on Australia’s fragile ocean ecology and marine habitats? Which species are most at risk? How is Australia conserving its rich marine environment, including the unique Great Barrier Reef? This book presents the latest key information on Australia’s ocean conservation and management approaches, fisheries and seafood sustainability, and reef management and marine pollution. Are our current efforts to preserve the treasures of our mostly aquatic planet only amounting to a mere drop in the ocean? Chapter 1: Marine protection Chapter 2: Fisheries management and seafood sustainability Chapter 3: Climate change, reef management and marine pollution Worksheets and activities; Fast facts; Glossary; Web links; Index
