ENSP 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 24: Coastal Zone Management Act, Marine Mammal, Marine Pollution

• School: University of Maryland
• Department: Environmental Science and Policy
• Course: ENSP 102
• Professor: Goger

Document Summary

Oceans cannot be owned, free to exploit without limits until the mid 1900s. Idea that the oceans are so large and resilient that it does not matter what we do to it. United nations convention on the law of the sea. Agreement resulting from third un conference on the law of the sea. Defines countries" exclusive economic zones (eez) to 200 nautical miles from shore and provided countries with resource exploration rights. 19 members including congressional representatives, scientists and others. Mission: protecting and preserving the nation"s living marine resources. Put together a working group called the national oceans group. Overfishing (marine mammal protection act addresses this issue) Habitat loss and degradation (marine protected areas addresses this issue) Changes in climate can impact marine ecosystems. Ocean is absorbing increasing carbon dioxide from atmosphere. Results in a lowering of seawater ph. Lowers ability to be a carbon sink. Floating plastic bits outnumber organisms 6 to 1 in the north pacific gyre.