The impact of human-caused pollution is a global concern, with marine life being particularly vulnerable. A new study has revealed that an alarming 90% of the world’s seafood supply is at risk due to pollution, posing a significant threat to a crucial food source for billions of people worldwide.
The study, titled “Vulnerability of blue foods to human-induced environmental change,” was recently published in the Nature Sustainability journal. It focuses on the more than 2,500 species of marine life, collectively known as “blue food,” which sustain 3.2 billion people across the globe. The study’s authors express concern over the limited attention given to how blue food production is influenced by anthropogenic environmental changes. They highlight that over 90% of global blue food production faces substantial risks from environmental change, with major producers in Asia and the United States facing the greatest threats.
These environmental threats include rising sea levels, increasing water temperatures, ocean acidification, algal blooms, and pollution from fertilizers, waste, and other chemicals entering water supplies. The study emphasizes that the threats to blue foods include not only the quantity available but also the quality, i.e., the food safety of the fish and other marine species consumed by many people.
Issues such as non-native bacteria introduced by humans, indigenous bacteria due to changing weather patterns, and the presence of mercury, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), pesticides, and antibiotics in seafood in large quantities are of particular concern. Pollution not only means that food will become more scarce, but it also indicates that the available food will become more unhealthy and hazardous to consume.
Ling Cao, a professor at China’s Xiamen University and co-author of the paper, urges countries to take more responsibility for causing environmental harm to marine life. She refers to a recent United Nations global high seas biodiversity pact as a positive step. Cao also highlights the potential destructiveness of ocean floor mining, urging countries to evaluate and minimize its impact.
This study underscores the urgent need for global action to address the environmental threats to the world’s seafood supply, emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of marine resources.