Greenpeace

The next time you walk into a McDonalds, Burger King, Arby’s or Dairy Queen and decide you want to order a Filet-O-Fish sandwich, you better think again. The Alaskan Pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) is the fish of choice used in the Filet-O-Fish sandwich. This is also the same “white fish” found in frozen fish sticks at your local supermarket. Although there are two species of marine fish in the Pollachius genus, the Alaskan Pollock is the fish of choice since it’s “the largest food fish resource in the world” [1]. “Both species can grow to 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) and can weigh up to 46 lb (21 kg). The fish has a strongly-defined silvery lateral line running down the sides. Above the lateral line the color is a greenish black. The belly is white. It can be found in water up to 100 fathoms (180 m) deep over rocks, and anywhere in the water column. They have a range from North Carolina up to the Gulf of St. Lawrence” [1]. The problem is that the Pollock is being over fished in the Bering Sea which happens to be the “largest single-species food fish fishery in the world” [1]. Over the years, the population of these fish has declined rapidly; so rapidly that the Bering Sea’s Pollock stock is on the verge of collapsing, therefore endangering the collapse of the commercial fishery. Unless something is done to help reduce overfishing then we will see the Bering Sea’s ecosystem collapse in the next couple of years. “Acoustic surveys by NOAA Fisheries indicate that the 2008 pollock population is almost 50 percent lower than last year's survey levels” [1]. If you don’t believe this could happen, look at the collapse of the cod stocks off the coast of Newfoundland. “In 1992, the collapse of the cod stocks off the east coast of Newfoundland forced the Canadian government to close the fishery. Over 40,000 people lost their jobs” [3]. <> Unfortunately, unless there is action taken, this problem will continue since this is a billion dollar business. “More than 3 million tons of Alaska pollock are caught each year in the North Pacific from Alaska to northern Japan. Alaska pollock catches from U.S. fisheries have been quite consistent at about 1.5 million tons a year, almost all of it from the Bering Sea” [1]. It’s important that we save what’s left because as mentioned earlier we are in danger of the Bering Sea’s ecosystem collapsing which ultimately affects ourselves. The good news is that if we act right now, the population can rebound into a stable ecosystem. If we wait too long then I’m afraid that the effects will be irreversible. So let’s not wait any longer and act right now by avoiding the purchase of Filet-O-Fish or “white fish” (also known as). Also, you can join an ocean conservation group by contacting “the SeaWeb Internet site at www.seaweb.org or call 1-888-4-SEAWEB to learn about national, regional and local conservation groups you can join” [2]. As individuals with drive and passion about our environment, we can help save our oceans one step at a time. References 1. Wikipedia. Pollock. Retrieved December 14, 2008, from . 2. Alaska Oceans Program. Ten Things You Can Do To Help The Ocean. Retrieved December 14, 2008, from . 3. Florida Museum of Natural History. Northern European Cod Collapse Predicted. Retrieved December 14, 2008, from .

What ecosystem receives far less attention than both the coral reefs and tropical rain forests but its losses exceed both of these ecosystems? The answer is the mangrove swamps. In the past two decades, at least 35% of the mangrove swamps have been lost. (Valiela, Ivan; Bowen, Jennifer L.; York, Joanna K). So, what exactly are the mangrove swamps? “Mangrove [Swamps] grow ubiquitously as a relatively narrow fringe between land and sea, between latitudes 25N and 30S. They [are] salt-tolerant species, with complex food webs and ecosystem dynamics” (Valiela, Ivan; Bowen, Jennifer L.; York, Joanna K). This paper discusses why mangrove swamps are being destroyed and why it is so important that we save these precious ecosystems. There are many reasons why mangrove swamps are being destroyed. Most damage is a result of human activity that is increasing every year. Over the years, the loss of these important habitats include: “mariculture, agriculture, and urbanization, as well as forestry uses and the effects of warfare, that have led to the remarkable recent losses of mangrove habitats” (Valiela, Ivan; Bowen, Jennifer L.; York, Joanna K). “On a worldwide scale, just under 3 x 10³ km² of mangroves have been lost each year since the early 1980s, which translates into an overall area loss rate of 2.1% per year” (Valiela, Ivan; Bowen, Jennifer L.; York, Joanna K). In addition, our contribution to global warming has also taken an affect on the mangroves. Global warming has heated up the earth since the beginning of evolution. Until recently, since the industrial revolution began about 1760 in England, the natural process of global warming has increased at unprecedented rates, now putting planet earth on a path for destruction. A result of global warming is the rise in ocean levels which is rising at three to four inches every year (book) which may affect mangroves. There are many different kinds of animals found in mangrove swamps. “Since these estuarine swamps are constantly replenished with nutrients transported by fresh water runoff from the land and flushed by the ebb and flow of the tides, they support a bursting population of bacteria and other decomposers and filter feeders.” These swamps house “billions of worms, protozoa, barnacles (Balanus spp.), oysters (Crassostrea spp.), and other invertebrates.” “These organisms in turn feed fish and shrimp, which support wading birds, pelicans, and the much endangered crocodile.” “The importance of mangrove swamps has been well established. They function as nurseries for shrimp and recreational fisheries, exporters of organic matter to adjacent coastal food chains, and enormous sources of valuable nutrients. Their physical stability helps to prevent shoreline erosion, shielding inland areas from severe damage during hurricanes and tidal waves” (www.epa.gov). The importance of these precious ecosystems has been made clear. If we continue at the current rate of destruction, then we can expect to see future problems with the mangrove swamp productivity. These affects will be devastating for us and will eventually be irreversible. Fortunately, “efforts are underway to enhance the protection of these valuable ecosystems” (www.epa.gov). References U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. February 22, 2006. Mangrove Swamps. 11/13/06. . Valiela, Ivan; Bowen, Jennifer L.; York, Joanna K. “Mangrove Forests: One of the World's Threatened Major Tropical Environments”. Vol. 51. Issue 10 (2001) : p 807. Textbook.