Human activities have profoundly impacted the oceans, leading to overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change. Overfishing has depleted fish stocks, threatening marine biodiversity and livelihoods dependent on fishing. Destructive fishing practices, such as bottom trawling, damage coral reefs and other sensitive habitats. Pollution from land-based sources, including plastics, chemicals, and sewage, contaminates marine ecosystems and harms marine life. Climate change is causing ocean acidification, warming, and sea-level rise, disrupting marine ecosystems and threatening coastal communities. These human-induced stressors have pushed the oceans to the brink of collapse, necessitating immediate action to conserve and restore marine ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.
