The growing human population is adding more stress on natural resources and is leading towards destruction of the environment. One of the worst impacts can be seen on marine ecology, which is highly exploited but hardly regulated.
With the governments reluctant to act, the onus lies on the community to come together and save their environment since their survival is dependent on its conservation, said environment experts during a panel discussion on ‘What strategies can be implemented to overcome the challenge of human activities in marine life?’ at ‘Goa - CMS Vatavaran Film Festival and Forum’ on the theme of LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
“Today, every commercial activity on the seas happens on the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of every country. Maximum exploitation of marine resources happens in these EEZs. Having Marine National Parks in the EEZs is key to protect the marine species,” said B C Choudhury, Executive Trustee and Principal Investigator of Aquatic Projects, Wildlife Trust of India, Noida.
He said that area should be identified within the 200 nautical miles of India’s existing EEZ area, for protection of the country’s marine species on the lines of national parks and sanctuaries that are there to protect wildlife on the land.
“The global directive is that 10 percent of a country’s EEZ should be declared as some kind of marine protected area. But in India, even one per cent is not demarcated. The idea is to protect marine ecology. In the Indian Ocean area, India will be the first country to start underwater mining. This will have a damaging effect,” B C Choudhury said.
He however said that people’s participation and awareness is making a difference on ground. Due to the news reports and documentary films, the killing of whale sharks has gone down considerably in the country. Fishermen release them back to the sea if they get entangled in their nets.
Emphasizing on the need for behavioral change from the community, another expert panelist Minal Desai Shirodkar, assistant professor of Zoology, Goa University, said that people should start by looking for alternatives to using plastic products.
“Microplastics are a huge threat to marine ecology and the entire food chain. These extremely small pieces of plastic particles which break away from plastic products, are entering the food chain. These plastics are spilled on the sea and are consumed by the fishes. These harmful chemical laden microplastics then enter our body as we consume these fishes and pose huge health risks,” said Minal.
She said that minor changes in lifestyle can make the difference. Citing examples, she said, one should stop using plastic boards for chopping food items on it and replace it with wooden boards. While purchasing food items, like fish, use a box instead of asking for plastic carry bags. This will cut down the presence of microplastics in the atmosphere.
“The problem of microplastics is not limited to marine ecology alone. It is in the air now due to excessive use of plastic materials. These are extremely fine particles and are being inhaled by us. It is entering our lungs and causing health issues. The people at large have to realize the gravity of the problem and find out solutions within the community,” she said.
Agreeing with the other two panelists, Vatosa Rakotondrazafy, Centre for Education and Communication (CEC) Regional vice-chair for Eastern and Southern Africa said that community participation has helped in a major way to conserve marine life in Madagascar. “Constant awareness measures have helped in getting the community to come together and prevent overexploitation of marine species, especially fish. This is important because people have realized, conservation of marine resources, ultimately, benefits the people as their life is dependent on them,” she said.