Oceana Essay Example

The ocean covers 71% of the earth, yet is at a constant threat of being destroyed by pollution and other factors, but there is a organization that is trying to stop the oceans ecosystems from being destroyed. Oceana, a nonprofit organization, specializes in preserving the ocean for future generations, while being able to continue to feed the world. Oceana is an organization that strives to spread awareness of ocean preservation through efforts to stop overfishing, seismic testing, and ocean pollution.

Oceana was founded in 2001 to be an environmental nonprofit that focused on ocean advocacy. A key part in why Oceana was founded was after a 1999 study done by The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Oak Foundation, the Marisla Foundation, and the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, which found that less the .5 percent of resources used by environmental non profits went to advocating for the ocean (About Us). Oceana set out to advocate for a topic that wasn’t advocated as much as other topics. Oceana set out to help protect the ocean by leading campaigns on ocean preservation, while helping stop the leading cause to the ocean being polluted and ruined. 

Seismic air gun testing for oil and gas deposits has major effects on marine species. While searching for oil deposits to drill offshore seismic testing is done by seismic air guns which are between 200 and 240 decibels. Compared to a normal conversation, which is sixty decibels, or a jet engine which is 140 decibels, a seismic air gun is over one hundred thousand times more intense than a jet engine (Offshore Drilling). A seismic air gun is loud enough to kill organisms that are the foundation of ecosystems. According to Seismic Blasting, it states “In marine mammals, the blasts — which reach more than 250 decibels and be heard for miles — can cause hearing loss, disturb essential behaviors like feeding and breeding, and mask communications between individual whales and dolphins” (Center for Biology Diversity). The lack of hearing can cause species to lose a key part of situational awareness. Losing or disturbing key behaviors like breeding or feeding can cause a decline in species that are vital to feeding the ecosystem or apex predators which help keep ecosystems from being overrun. Seismic air gun testing is a major factor in helping the oil industry find the gas and oil deposits, which lead to ocean pollution which can lead to more harmful effects in the ocean.

Oceana has worked to stop seismic testing in areas of the ocean around the world. According to Hoskins (qtd. Groups Sue Feds) states  “This action is unlawful and we’re going to stop it… The Trump administration’s rash decision to harm marine mammals hundreds of thousands of times in the hope of finding oil and gas is shortsighted and dangerous… We won this fight before and we’ll win it again.” Oceana has worked to stop seismic testing and succeed in temporarily extending the stopping seismic testing in the Atlantic Ocean during 2020. As stated by Hoskins (qtd. Waymer) “Communities can breathe a little easier knowing the Atlantic is now safe from seismic airgun blasting in 2020.” Oceana has worked and succeeded in temporarily stopping seismic testing, which is expected to continue to be banned in the Biden administration. Oceana suing to expand the ban in the Atlantic Ocean, helped save animals from the seismic testing and the harming of animals.

Ocean pollution is another major factor that is effecting the ocean is pollution. Ocean pollution is multiple forms of pollution from toxic waste, plastic, fishing gear, human waste, etc. Ocean pollution negatively effects marine species through marine debris which they can ingest or become entangled in which can harm or kill them (Ocean pollution). Marine debris pose a major threat to marine species as the drift through the ocean. Nets that are dumped or lost by fishing vessels entangle species as it drifts through the ocean killing species that get entangled in the nets. Micro plastics another form of sea derbies has a effect on the sea food served around the world, as the species eat the micro plastic it can work its way up the food chain to the plate. Contaminants pose a threat as stated “Heavy metals and other contaminants can accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for humans to consume. Microplastics can be ingested by fish and other species that filter their food out of the water. With more than one-third of the shellfish-growing waters of the United States adversely affected by coastal pollution…” (Ocean Pollution). With over one third of the the shellfish growing waters affected by pollution the food supply is affected by shellfish not being safe to serve. Ocean pollution makes the food supply unsafe to eat, and kill off animals by being poisoned by the pollutants or getting entangled in nets.

Oceana has worked to stop ocean pollution in many areas but helping lobby and campaign for bans on pollutants. Oceana has had many successful campaigns with one in Chile banning single use utensils as stated, “The Chilean government unanimously passed an ambitious law reducing single-use plastic pollution from the food and beverage industries, following campaigning by Oceana. The law prohibits all eating establishments from providing plastic tableware, such as cutlery, straws, and Styrofoam utensils” (Victories). Oceana has shown that it is possible to be able to ban single use plastics, or other single use utensils to protect the ocean and species from pollution. The campaign banning single use plastics and other utensils protects the food supply and species from pollution, and consuming harmful substances. Ocean has also campaigned and succeeded in campaigning in getting federal, state, and local governments to ban single use polystyrene foam and balloons. As stated in Virginia Protects Oceans it states “U.S. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed two bills into law to reduce plastic pollution across the state. The laws prohibit the use of polystyrene foam for food service containers, including takeout boxes and cups, and ban the intentional release of balloons into the environment. Both polystyrene foam and balloons contribute to the 33 billion pounds of plastic entering our oceans every year” (Victories). Polystyrene foam can lead to species being poisoned from the chemicals in the foam, which can seep over into the food chain and end up on the plate. Oceana has shown that it can campaign to have laws passed to reduce ocean pollution and succeed. 

Overfishing is a major threat to the ocean as it depletes the food supply and harms ecosystems. According to Environmental Defense Fund it states “Overfishing endangers ocean ecosystems and the billions of people who rely on seafood as a key source of protein” (Overfishing: The Most Serious Threat). If over fishing is to continue the world will face a food shortage as nearly 42 percent of the world rely on seafood as a source of food. Overfishing is one of if not the biggest threat to the ocean as more ships catch fish in massive nets, and less fish is released into the ocean. According to World Wildlife Fund it states “When too many fish are taken out of the ocean it creates an imbalance that can erode the food web and lead to a loss of other important marine life, including vulnerable species like sea turtles and corals” (What Is Overfishing). Over fishing is a major issue as it can lead to whole ecosystem which can cause areas that rely on the ocean for their economy can be ruined by overfishing. Over fishing is a major threat to the ocean that places ecosystems at risk of collapse.

Oceana has worked to stoping over fishing in areas around the globe. The European Union has voted to end overfishing in the North Sea, as stated “Members of the European Parliament voted today in the plenary session on the North Sea multiannual management plan for fish species living near the sea bottom. The plan covers nearly one-third of all fish catches in EU waters, and includes species such as cod, haddock, whiting, sole, plaice and Norwegian lobster” (European Parliament votes). The laws that have been out in place will keep the ecosystem in the North Sew from being depleted. Oceana has campaigned and won in helping have governments impose stricter regulations to stop overfishing. California has protected hundreds of species of forge fish, by not allowing any to be harvested until it is shown that these species can be caught without disrupting the food web (Hundreds of Forage Species Safeguarded). The law will allow for the ecosystems to rebound while also allowing for the possibility for the harvest of the species to resume in the future. This also shows that Oceana is able to campaign to help stop overfishing, but allow for fishing to still to take place. Overfishing is a major threat to the ocean, but Oceana has helped to stop overfishing in areas around the world.

The ocean is a major ecosystem that makes up a majority of the world, but is at a constant threat of being severely harmed. Oceana though is dedicated to protecting the ocean. Oceana is dedicated by helping stop ocean pollution, seismic testing, and overfishing. The ocean is in safe hands with Oceana advocating to keep it clean and safe.