New information reveals the Biden administration’s ocean conservation strategy considers areas with commercial fishing as protected, causing concern among scientists.
The U.S. aims to preserve 30% of its marine areas, counting some zones that allow commercial fishing as protected.
Scientists argue that allowing commercial fishing undermines the conservation goals intended to support biodiversity.
The debate highlights differing global standards on what qualifies as a conserved area.
Key quote:
“Saying that these areas that are touted to be for biodiversity conservation should also do double duty for fishing as well, especially highly impactful gears that are for large-scale commercial take, there’s just a cognitive dissonance there.”
— Kirsten Grorud-Colvert, marine biologist at Oregon State University
Close to 200 nations pledged to protect nearly a third of Earth’s land and oceans as a refuge for the planet’s remaining wild plants and animals by 2030.
From the Arctic to the Antarctic and from the smallest bioluminescent organism to the biggest whales, this season’s selections take readers through the world’s oceans and introduce them to a range of incredible species.
