Lament For An Ocean

The northern cod have been almost wiped out. Once the most plentiful fish on the Grand Banks off the coast of Newfoundland, the cod is now on the brink of extinction, and tens of thousands of people in Atlantic Canada have been left without work by a 1992 moratorium on fishing the stock. Today, the Pacific salmon stocks are in similar trouble – victims of the same blind, stupid greed. Angry, accusatory fingers have been pointed at various possible culprits for the collapse of the cod – at the Spanish and Portuguese, who for hundreds of years sent ever-bigger fleets to the Grand Banks; at the factory-freezer trawlers, which “vacuumed” the ocean floor for the prized fish; at those inshore fishermen who circumvented the rules governing the fishery; at the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, which is responsible for managing the fishery; at the harp seal, the cod’s competitor for food, whose numbers have exploded in recent years; even at Nature, for lowering the temperature of the ocean. In Lament for an Ocean, the award-winning true-crime writer Michael Harris investigates the real causes of the most wanton destruction of a natural resource in North American history since the buffalo were wiped off the face of the prairies. The story he carefully unfolds is the sorry tale of how, despite the repeated and urgent warnings of ocean scientists, the northern cod was ruthlessly exploited.

'This book is recommended for anyone wanting to quickly get up to speed with oceans governance, bearing in mind at this stage it is an immature and quickly developing field. The strength of the book is that it is grounded in real-world examples from four case study countries and in this context at the very least exposes the reader to emergent oceans governance and policy issues. . . an excellent starting point for further analysis of oceans governance and sets up a research agenda for the future.' - Murray Patterson, Journal of Ecological Economics

Australia and Canada have been at the forefront of efforts to operationalize integrated oceans and coastal management. Throughout the 1990s both countries devoted considerable effort to developing strategies to give effect to international ocean management obligations. This key book focuses on principles of marine environmental conservation and management, maritime regulation and enforcement, and regional maritime planning and implementation. With contributions from respected scholars, this informative book collectively assesses the obligations, compliance, implementation and trends in international ocean law, particularly in giving effect to an Oceans Policy, regional maritime planning, international oceans governance, and maritime security. This book will be of interest to all academics involved with maritime studies and international law.

"Lament of the Ocean" is a comprehensive and enlightening book that delves into the current state of marine environmental pollution and its wide-ranging effects on our oceans. Drawing on the latest scientific research and real-world examples, this book offers an in-depth exploration of the various forms of pollution that plague our seas and the urgent need for sustainable practices to safeguard marine ecosystems. From the devastating impact of plastic pollution, including microplastics and macroplastics, to the detrimental effects of agricultural runoff, industrial waste, oil spills, and shipping activities, the book examines how these pollutants disrupt marine ecosystems, harm marine species, and compromise human health. It also highlights the interconnectedness of these issues with climate change and the subsequent implications for the planet. Throughout the book, the reader gains valuable insights into international agreements and conventions such as MARPOL, OSPAR, and the London Convention and Protocol, which aim to regulate and mitigate pollution. The book critically analyzes the effectiveness of these agreements, shedding light on their limitations and suggesting ways to strengthen them for more significant impact. However, "Ocean's Cry" does not dwell solely on the challenges at hand. It provides a balanced perspective by showcasing inspiring initiatives and solutions that offer hope for a sustainable future. The book explores sustainable business practices, technological innovations, and the importance of public awareness and education in driving change. It emphasizes the role of individuals, communities, industry, and governments in embracing sustainable alternatives, recycling and upcycling, and adopting eco-friendly practices. Furthermore, the book examines the consequences of pollution on marine life, including the loss of biodiversity, the disruption of food chains, and the threat of species extinction. It highlights the need for preserving genetic diversity and underscores the importance of ecosystem resilience in facing these challenges. As the book concludes, it calls upon the global community to take action. It emphasizes the significance of international collaboration, the development of new partnerships, and the strengthening of existing agreements to tackle marine environmental pollution effectively. The book also stresses the need for sustainable urban planning, the adoption of plastic alternatives, and the promotion of recycling and upcycling initiatives. "Ocean's Cry" serves as a clarion call for a united effort to protect our oceans and marine ecosystems. It inspires readers to take part in creating positive change, promoting sustainability, and fostering a deep appreciation for the oceans and their profound influence on our planet's well-being. This book is a must-read for environmentalists, policymakers, researchers, and individuals who are passionate about preserving our oceans and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.

Humanity can make short work of the oceans’ creatures. In 1741, hungry explorers discovered herds of Steller’s sea cow in the Bering Strait, and in less than thirty years, the amiable beast had been harpooned into extinction. It’s a classic story, but a key fact is often omitted. Bering Island was the last redoubt of a species that had been decimated by hunting and habitat loss years before the explorers set sail. As Callum M. Roberts reveals in The Unnatural History of the Sea, the oceans’ bounty didn’t disappear overnight. While today’s fishing industry is ruthlessly efficient, intense exploitation began not in the modern era, or even with the dawn of industrialization, but in the eleventh century in medieval Europe. Roberts explores this long and colorful history of commercial fishing, taking readers around the world and through the centuries to witness the transformation of the seas. Drawing on firsthand accounts of early explorers, pirates, merchants, fishers, and travelers, the book recreates the oceans of the past: waters teeming with whales, sea lions, sea otters, turtles, and giant fish. The abundance of marine life described by fifteenth century seafarers is almost unimaginable today, but Roberts both brings it alive and artfully traces its depletion. Collapsing fisheries, he shows, are simply the latest chapter in a long history of unfettered commercialization of the seas. The story does not end with an empty ocean. Instead, Roberts describes how we might restore the splendor and prosperity of the seas through smarter management of our resources and some simple restraint. From the coasts of Florida to New Zealand, marine reserves have fostered spectacular recovery of plants and animals to levels not seen in a century. They prove that history need not repeat itself: we can leave the oceans richer than we found them.