The State of the Oceans

Generations of people have thought and acted as though the world's oceans were so vast as to beyond human influence, an exhaustible  source of resources. The most recent scientific consensus, however, suggests that the ocean is highly vulnerable to cumulative human action, including fishing, resource extraction, and pollution – effects that are exacerbated by climate change. 

An increasing number of citizens and policymakers fear that the rapidly deteriorating conditions of the oceans will profoundly – and soon – impact human welfare. Half of the world's population lives within 60 miles of a coast, which are vulnerable to seismic events, landslides, sea level rise, tsunami, oils spills and other hazards.

Yet because most of the ocean waters are considered part of the "commons," it will take global cooperation and policies to not only avert ocean ecosystem collapse but also to govern the increased competition among nations for control over its remaining resources.

Like climate change, the problem of savings the oceans can seem overwhelming, especially at the individual level. This special Great Decisions at the Library discussion, therefore, will begin with a sneak preview of a new documentary, Ocean Frontiers, by Green Fire Productions, which provides a vision of what sustainable ocean stewardship looks like through real-life examples of what several U.S. regions are doing to protect the seas. The 80 minute film will be in lieu of the usual Foreign Policy Association DVD.

The documentary's filmmakers scanned the country for the best examples of people implementing new approaches and new scientific tools for ocean management. In Boston, they found industry leaders who are collaborating with scientists to move shipping lanes and develop new technologies both to foster energy production and to reduce ship strikes on endangered whales – showing the importance of good data for effective decision making.

In the Florida Keys, they discovered fishermen, divers and boaters working together to alleviate a contentious situation by establishing a comprehensive ocean plan to protect their environment and their coastal economy.

Iowa’s farmers, who live more than a thousand miles away from ocean shores, are changing their farming practices to help restore ocean health in the Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, a fishing community in Oregon is working to achieve both a healthy near-shore marine ecosystem and a sustainable fishery.

The post-film discussion will be moderated by Karen Anspacher-Meyer, Executive Director of Green Fire Productions, and Bainbridge Islander James Brennan, Marine Habitat Specialist at the University of Washington and an advisor to Washington Sea Grant. In addition to discussing the issue of ocean stewardship from a local and national perspective, the role of the U.S. in the international arena – including its failure thus far to ratify the United Nation's Convention on the Law of the Sea – will be addressed.

More information about Ocean Frontiers and suggested background readings can be found at http://bainbridgeartshumanities.org/about-us/what-we-do-2/great-decisions/great-decisions-the-state-of-the-oceans/ and www.krl.org or by phoning BIAHC at 206-842-7901.