What We Do
Sustainable Seas is a marine environment advocacy group formed to bring awareness to as many as we can
Our Approach
Our organization spearheads targeted and strategic initiatives to deliver tangible results for the world's oceans. Sustainable Seas utilizes legal expertise, scientific research, grassroots mobilization, advocacy, and strategic communication to drive policy reform on a global scale.
What YOU Can Do
You can become a member of our advocacy group or donate to one of the many trusted charities on our website.
Marine Environment Issues
Destructive/Overfishing
Pollution Hot Issue
Biodiversity
Destructive/overfishing, pollution, bioversity issues, and other unsustainable fishing practices are depleting marine populations at an alarming rate, disrupting ecosystems and threatening food security for millions of people. In addition, ocean pollution—particularly plastic waste—contaminates marine environments, harming sea creatures and entering the food chain. This combination of factors is contributing to a significant loss in marine biodiversity, with coral reefs, fish species, and other ocean life facing unprecedented declines. As ecosystems collapse, the health of the planet's oceans and the services they provide, such as climate regulation and coastal protection, are at risk. Immediate action is needed to protect marine life and restore balance to the oceans.
A Deeper Dive
Destructive Fishing and Over-fishing
Destructive/overfishing has severe consequences for marine ecosystems, as it disrupts the delicate balance of ocean life. When fish are removed at an unsustainable rate, entire species can decline or even face extinction, leading to a loss of biodiversity. This disruption also affects the food chain, as predators and prey alike become scarce or out of balance. Additionally, fishing methods like bottom trawling, which scrapes the ocean floor with heavy nets, damage vital habitats like coral reefs and seagrass beds, which are home to many marine species and act as nurseries for young fish.
A case study written by Orion McCarthy in 2016 states: "By 1996, the US had declared 86 species overfished." The depletion of fish populations further destabilizes the marine environment by altering the roles that different species play in their ecosystems. For example, the loss of large predator fish can lead to an overpopulation of smaller species, which in turn can overgraze plankton or other resources. This creates a cascading effect that reduces the overall health of the ocean. As marine ecosystems degrade, their ability to recover from other stressors, such as climate change or pollution, becomes increasingly limited, making the need for sustainable fishing practices and conservation efforts more urgent.