Nathan Wu

Wood 1

English IV

April 27, 2020

The Fascination of the Undiscovered Oceans

We are all aware of events such as the numerous moon landings and Mars rover

expeditions; however, space exploration and the planets surrounding Earth seem so far away and

mysterious. There is actually a large portion of our Earth even less explored than Mars or our

moon. The oceans are said to be 95 percent undiscovered (Kershner). When I was younger, I

remember being so intrigued by documentaries of the creatures below sea level. My parents took

my brother and me to the Monterey Bay Aquarium when I was about 6 years old, and I had never

experienced anything like it before. Walking through the gates I saw stuffed animals. Some were

cute and cuddly like sea otters, but others I was unfamiliar with. I had never seen anything like

them. Sharp spikes, beating eyes, and a mouth full of teeth. My family and I then took the

elevator down to what seemed like an unknown world. I did not know what to think or what to

expect. I soon stepped onto an automatic walkway and checked my surroundings. To my left was

a huge alien-like creature with its teeth hanging out of its mouth. Straight above me, an alien

looking creature beaming its stare down at me. Seeing these massive creatures in person had

always sparked some interest in aquatic ecosystems. In my teenage years I have grown an

interest in freshwater fish. During my freshman year, I convinced my mom to take me to the

local pet store to get a fish tank for our house. I have watched countless hours worth of videos

educating myself on various species of fish and how they interact within real ecosystems. I am
still keeping up to date with various YouTubers and their concepts of the changing environment.

A common scenario I constantly hear is that the population of fish and aquatic animals is

declining like most animals on Earth which made me realize that climate change, ocean

pollution, ocean acidification, and overfishing were causing aquatic animals to be scarce. This

led me to propose the question of how​ human activities have affected the decline of the

population of fish.

To obtain some prior information about the changing environment and its problems, I

found myself going back to where my fascination of aquatic wildlife started. After touring

Monterey Bay aquarium once again, I met with Sophia Rose, a Guest Experience Representative

with a focus on hospitality. She attended Cal State Monterey Bay and received her Bachelor of

Arts degree in Marine Science environmental Studies. I asked her if the marine animals were in

better condition at the aquarium than they would be in the wild. She answered, “Not necessarily.

We can still have ocean acidification here at the Aquarium.” I was curious about what ocean

acidification was. Rose told us, “Ocean acidification is an increase in acidity of sea water due to

increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide. Ocean acidification is caused mainly by humans

and excessive CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels. The oceans are becoming more acidic

because too much CO2 dissolves into the oceans.” She then explained that one example of the

harmful effects of ocean acidification is that “certain sea life can’t build hard enough shells and

they have a shorter lifespan.” I asked her how climate change affected the ocean and its

population. She responded by saying, “Climate change has caused the ocean temperature to be

warmer. This has happened even in Monterey Bay. We see warm water species coming into the
Bay that weren’t here before (like spiny lobsters and certain anemones). Ocean birds also follow

them and there is more competition for food with the local species that live here.”

To further understand the question of ​how​ human activities have affected the detrimental

decline of the population of fish, we must first understand how humans are affecting the

population of fish and aquatic animals. The major contributor is climate change. Holly Shaftel, a

senior site editor for NASA stated, “​Climate change is a long-term change in the average weather

patterns that have come to define Earth’s local, regional and global climates. These changes have

a broad range of observed effects that are synonymous with the term” (Shaftel). She also

explains that humans are to blame for most of this change, “​Changes observed in Earth’s climate

since the early 20th century are primarily driven by human activities, particularly fossil fuel

burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere, raising

Earth’s average surface temperature. These human-produced temperature increases are

commonly referred to as global warming. Natural processes can also contribute to climate

change, including internal variability (e.g., cyclical ocean patterns like El Niño, La Niña and the

Pacific Decadal Oscillation) and external forcings (e.g., volcanic activity, changes in the Sun’s

energy output, variations in Earth’s orbit)” (Shaftel). The potential impacts of climate change

among fresh and saltwater ecosystems could be detrimental to their very existence. John Day, a

writer for the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, states, “​Aquatic and wetland ecosystems

are very vulnerable to climate change. The metabolic rates of organisms and the overall

productivity of ecosystems are directly regulated by temperature. Increases in water temperature

will cause a shift in the thermal suitability of aquatic habitats for resident species. Seasonal shifts

in stream runoff will have significant negative effects on many aquatic ecosystems. Wetland loss
in boreal regions of Alaska and Canada is likely to result in additional releases of CO2 into the

atmosphere. Coastal wetlands are particularly vulnerable to sea-level rise associated with

increasing global temperatures. Most specific ecological responses to climate change cannot be

predicted, because new combinations of native and non-native species will interact in novel

situations. Increased water temperatures and seasonally reduced streamflows will alter many

ecosystem processes with potential direct societal costs. Lastly, the manner in which humans

adapt to a changing climate will greatly influence the future status of inland freshwater and

coastal wetland ecosystems” (Day). To stop the effects of climate change and global warming,

the Smithsonian Ocean team advises everyone to cut down on their carbon use beca​use, “When

we burn fossil fuels (like oil, gas, or coal) to power our homes, businesses, and cars, we are

adding the gas carbon dioxide to the air. The blanket of carbon dioxide we've been building for

over a hundred years acts like a greenhouse, trapping more of the sun's heat. More heat means a

warmer ocean, which is taking its ​toll on marine life​” (Smithsonian Ocean Team).

Ocean pollution also ​affects the well being of aquatic animals. Torbenn Lonne, a writer

for the MarineSafe organization, explains that, “Ocean pollution comes in many forms, but the

largest factor affecting the oceans is plastic. Over the last decade, we have produced more plastic

than we have in the last 100 years. This sharp increase in plastic entering our waters harms not

only marine life but also humanity. Plastic kills fish, birds, marine mammals and sea turtles,

destroys habitats and even affects animals’ mating rituals, which can have devastating

consequences and can wipe out entire species” (Lonne). As plastic continues to build up on our

planet we can reduce pollution by following Brian Hutchinsons seven step plan. Hutchinson is

Oceanic Society's vice president of outreach, co-founder of the ​State of the World's Sea Turtles
Program​, and program officer of the ​IUCN-SSC Marine Turtle Specialist Group​. Hutchinson

holds a B.A. in zoology from Connecticut College, and has been working to advance global

marine conservation for more than a decade. Hutchinson’s seven step plan consists of reducing

the use of single-use plastics, recycling properly, participating in river or beach cleanups,

supporting bans on single-use plastic items, avoiding products that contain plastic microbeads,

spreading the word about pollution of our oceans, and lastly supporting organizations that

address plastic pollution (Hutchinson).

The third human activity that contributes to the decrease in aquatic wildlife is ocean

acidification. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration describes ocean

acidification as, “a reduction in the pH of the ocean over an extended period of time, caused

primarily by uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere” (US Department of

Commerce). Elizabeth Kolbert, the author of ​The Sixth Extinction,​ talks about the industrial

revolution and its sudden production of atmospheric carbon. She writes, “Since the start of the

industrial revolution, humans have burned through enough fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural

gas-to add some 365 billion metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Deforestation has

contributed to another 180 billion tons” (Kolbert 113). Thus, making our industrial production

have the highest concentration of carbon in the air is the highest point in the past several million

years. Kolbert then states that, “If current trends continue, CO2 concentrations will top five

hundred parts per million, roughly double the levels they were in preindustrial days, by 2050. It

is expected that such an increase will produce an eventual average probal temperature rise

between three and a half and seven degrees Fahrenheit, and this will, in turn, trigger a variety of

world altering events, including the disappearing of most remaining glaciers, the inundation of
low-lying islands and coastal cities, and the melting of the Arctic ice cap” (Kolbert 113). Kolbert

explains how this is not the only problem. She explains that the ocean is projected to be 150

percent more acidic by the end of the century than at the start of the industrial revolution. This is

important because, “​Ocean acidification​ can negatively affect marine life, causing organisms'

shells and skeletons made from calcium carbonate to dissolve. The more acidic the ocean, the

faster the shells dissolve. Animals that produce calcium carbonate structures have to spend extra

energy either repairing their damaged shells or thickening them to survive. Using energy for thi

could impact the animals’ abilities to grow and reproduce. Animals able to survive and

reproduce in more acidic waters are likely to become smaller, potentially affecting the food chain

that relies on them” (Natural History Museum). In order to slow this process on a single person

scale you should try and minimize your carbon footprint. This can consist of, “drying laundry on

a clothesline or rack instead of in the dryer. Walk, bike, take the bus, or carpool to work or

school. Replace light bulbs and older appliances with newer, ​more efficient models​”

(Smithsonian Ocean Team).

Lastly, another main contributor humans participate in to deplete the aquatic wildlife is

overfishing. As humans, we have this belief that the ocean is so big that it must have an endless

supply of food; however, fishing is the most significant factor in the decline of the ocean wildlife

population. This happens when we catch more fish faster than the fish can reproduce. The World

Wildlife Fund says, “ The reasons that cause overfishing are in a large part due to the ​worldwide

fishing fleets​ that are five times as large as then what is actually necessary to catch fish that our

oceans can realistically support. Globally, our active fishing fleets have the capacity to cover at

least four planets that are the size of earth. Many ​fishing methods​ in addition to the overcapacity
are causing fish to be unsustainable. These methods ​damage ecosystems​ and cause incredible

damage to our marine life. Bottom trawling is an example of this, by its non-selective fishing

method and heavy gear use, this cause's enormous destruction on the non-target fish” (World

Wildlife Fund). Not only do these huge ships and fishing nets destroy ecosystems, they also have

no control over what animals are caught causing numerous amounts of unwanted aquatic life to

be caught in the nets. Also, the nets may catch young or endangered animals that may have not

had the chance to breed separating the gap of caught and reproduced even farther (Bycatch).

These big fisheries may seem huge compared to a single person, but the most effective way to

stop overfishing and help the ocean wildlife is to speak up, support organizations against

overfishing, and educate others about this important topic.

To better understand the importance the ocean can serve to the human population, I was

given the opportunity to interview Brodie Moss. Moss, is an Australian YouTuber with over one

million subscribers. He is well liked for his fascination and care of the ocean as well as his great

charisma and enthusiasm for nature. First, I asked what he did before his YouTube fame. He

said, “I used to be an electrician, but in my freetime my family and I would go down to the beach

and have a blast there.” I then asked what his favorite experience was in one of his videos. He

answered, “I have had many once in a lifetime opportunities with nature, but my favorite would

have to be swimming side by side with a whale shark.” I noticed that Moss spear fishes and also

fishes with a rod, so I asked which method was his favorite. He replied, “Although I love the

rush you get from the rod not knowing what you might be pulling up onto your boat, that is also

the downside. When you use a rod you never know what animal you hooked which could cause

damage to the animal but when I spear fish I can choose which type of fish I want to eat and
what size it is so I am sure not to waste any of it.” I then moved on to the next question and

asked how he tries to protect the animals and the ocean wildlife. Moss said, “Well I always try

and show my viewers the beauty of nature and I point out that we need to protect it as best we

can by simply picking up our trash or properly burying our campfires. Also, I show a lot of

spearfishing and fishing in general so I never take more than I need. My goal is to educate others

to just do the right thing to the environment. It is the animals' homes over ours. I try and let

nature run its course. I never try to disturb the animals. For instance, I have seen turtles hatching

right in front of me many times, but you aren’t allowed to touch them so it is the most

heartbreaking thing to see them get stranded or a seagull pick them up from the beach, but you

have to let nature run its course.” Moss has truly had some of the best documented experiences a

person can have in the ocean with the wildlife. I have been watching his videos for quite a while

and they have made me want to take a study abroad semester in college to explore Australia’s

Great Barrier Reef. I would highly advise everyone to watch one of his videos because you will

be immediately captivated by the amazing wildlife off the coast of Australia.

The oceans and the wildlife within it are still very unknown to mankind. It would be a

shame to say that we destroyed the ocean before we fully understood its importance and

capabilities. The fish population is declining because of humans in the form of climate change,

overfishing, ocean acidification, and ocean pollution. However, all of these negatives can be

fixed by humans, too. We must reduce our carbon footprint, recycle, find alternative power

sources, spread the word to others, and most importantly stand up for what we believe in. A huge

corporation may not hear one voice, and that is why we must stand up to the companies who are

running our fish out of the water. Once we deplete the population of our aquatic wildlife it will
be gone forever. Sooner or later there will be nothing left for us to protect. The fascination I had

when I first walked through the gates of the Monterey Bay Aquarium when I was six years old is

the same fascination and passion I hope to share with others. I want others to recognize the pure

beauty of the ocean.

Works Cited

"Bycatch." ​UXL Encyclopedia of Science​, edited by Amy Hackney Blackwell and

Elizabeth Manar, 3rd ed., UXL, 2015. ​Gale In Context: High School,​

https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/XJRWUH870119839/SUIC?u=wal55317&sid=SUIC

&xid=e75ad7b1. Accessed 17 Mar. 2020.

Day, John W. “Aquatic Ecosystems and Global Climate Change.” ​Center for Climate and

Energy Solutions​, 4 Feb. 2020,

www.c2es.org/document/aquatic-ecosystems-and-global-climate-change/.

Hutchinson, Brian. “7 Ways To Reduce Ocean Plastic Pollution Today.” ​7 Ways To Reduce

Ocean Plastic Pollution Today​,

www.oceanicsociety.org/blog/1720/7-ways-to-reduce-ocean-plastic-pollution-today.

Kershner, Kate. “Do We Really Know More about Space than the Deep Ocean?”

HowStuffWorks Science,​ HowStuffWorks, 27 Jan. 2020,

science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/deep-ocean-explorati

on.htm.

Kolbert, Elizabeth. ​The Sixth Extinction: an Unnatural History.​ Henry Holt, 2015.

Lonne, Torbenn. “How Ocean Pollution Impacts Marine Life-and All of Us.” ​MarineSafe,​

23 Apr. 2018,
 www.marinesafe.org/blog/2016/04/18/how-ocean-pollution-impacts-marine-life-and-

all-of-us/.

Natural History Museum. “How Does Ocean Acidification Affect Marine Life?” ​Natural

History Museum​,

www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/quick-questions/how-does-ocean-acidification-affect-marin

e-life.html.

Shaftel, Holly. “Overview: Weather, Global Warming and Climate Change.” ​NASA​,

NASA, 28 Aug. 2019,

climate.nasa.gov/resources/global-warming-vs-climate-change/.

Smithsonian Ocean Team. “How You Can Help the Ocean.” ​How You Can Help the

Ocean​, 14 May 2018,

ocean.si.edu/conservation/climate-change/how-you-can-help-ocean.

US Department of Commerce, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“What Is Ocean Acidification?” ​NOAA's National Ocean Service,​ 1 Aug. 2012,

oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/acidification.html.

World Wildlife Fund. “Overfishing.” ​WWF​, World Wildlife Fund,

www.worldwildlife.org/threats/overfishing.

Interviews

1st. Sophia Rose- a Guest Experience Representative with a focus on hospitality

2nd. Brodie Moss- Australian Youtuber, AKA- Youngbloods (on Youtube)