Co-authored by Philippe Cousteau -- Founder EarthEcho International, and Hannah MacDonald --environmental advocate, student, and EarthEcho Youth Leadership Council member.
As a rule, the challenges facing our ocean loom large and complex. Climate change, ocean acidification, and sea level rise certainly fall into this category. These environmental beasts require the world's collective brain power and cooperation to bring them in line; something we can and must do. However, there are actions we can take to begin healing our ocean that are utterly achievable, and proven to be highly successful. Marine protected areas in particular, including marine sanctuaries, estuaries, reserves, and national marine monuments, represent a solution to help restore our ocean while we confront the impacts of climate, pollution, and a growing population. There are more than 5,000 marine protected areas around the globe, 1,600 of which are located in U.S. waters, coastal areas, and the Great Lakes. They offer stories of progress and hope in a time when we need it the most.
The proposed New England Coral Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument represents a timely example. Located 150 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, this area is a ruggedly beautiful deep-sea Eden comprised of mountains (seamounts), some rising more the 7,000 feet from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, and massive canyons. The canyons and seamounts are home to fragile and ancient deep-sea coral communities, some the size of small trees, that provide food, spawning habitat, and shelter for an array of fish and crustaceans. The waters above teem with ocean life, including large fish like tunas and billfish, sea turtles, seabirds, and what may be the highest diversity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in the North Atlantic, including the iconic sperm whale.
Later this week, at the Our Ocean conference in Washington, DC, President Obama has the opportunity to officially designate this pristine area a marine national monument, and the authors of this blog certainly urge him to do so. We feel certain that the 150 young environmental leaders we will join at the Our Ocean, One Future: Leadership Seminar being held parallel to the conference share our view. The reason this is such an important action -- protecting marine habitat on a large scale -- is because it creates a multitude of benefits. In the case of the New England Coral Canyons and Seamounts, protecting spawning habitat supports healthy fish and shell fish populations. Charismatic mega fauna like whales bolster the tourist industry. Because of the area's remote location, depth, and rugged character, it is remarkably untouched and remains a vital frontier for scientific discovery. And many scientists agree that these protected areas make our ocean more resilient against the impacts of climate change.
There is another layer to this story if we dive a little deeper. Marine protected areas can be shining sources of pride and respect that strengthen cultures and unite communities. The recently expanded Papahanoumokuakea Marine National monument in the Pacific Ocean is a prime example. Not only does this historic Monument protect extensive coral reefs that are home to over 7,000 marine species, one-quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian Archipelago, it preserves and celebrates Native Hawaiian culture for future generations. From the fishing villages of Cape Cod to Hawaii's island communities, these special places remind us of the essential bond we have with our ocean and the responsibility we have to protect it.
As we tackle the complex issues of climate change and the impacts of our growing population, marine protected areas also remind us that we aren't powerless, that there are steps that we can and should take that have significant and positive impacts.