Monday April 4, 2022
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With a goal of protecting 30 per cent of the worlds oceans by 2030, a new study shows most marine species could be protected while only having a small impact on commercial fishing.
The study, a joint effort between Auckland University with data from the University of British Columbia, showed 89 per cent of threatened species would be protected as a result of ocean reserves, with only an 11 per cent drop off in global fishing catch.
Study author, Auckland University PhD candidate Tamlin Jefferson, said he was pretty chuffed when he landed on 11 per cent, as that kind of reduction would probably happen anyway with overfishing.
“It seems like quite a small price to pay to protect the key areas and species in the sea”.