Ocean damage unspeakably awful, Attenborough tells prince

Sir David Attenborough, the well-known naturalist and broadcaster, recently spoke with Prince William about the alarming damage being inflicted on the world's oceans. Ahead of the upcoming United Nations Oceans Conference, Sir David expressed his deep concern over destructive fishing practices, particularly bottom trawling, which is causing severe harm to marine ecosystems. This conference marks the first global gathering in three years to address the growing threats to the oceans, including plastic pollution, climate change, and overfishing. The main goal of the UN is to get enough countries to ratify the High Seas Treaty, an agreement made two years ago to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through the creation of Marine Protected Areas. However, only 32 countries have ratified the treaty so far, and 60 are needed to bring it into force.

In his interview, Sir David described the damage to the deep ocean floor as 'unspeakably awful. ' He pointed out that if similar destruction happened on land, it would cause public outrage. The interview coincided with the release of his new documentary, Ocean, which highlights the negative effects of certain fishing methods on marine life and the ocean's ability to absorb carbon dioxide, a key factor in fighting climate change. Environmental groups and scientists are urging governments to ban bottom trawling in Marine Protected Areas because it can unintentionally kill larger marine animals and damage fragile habitats. However, some fishing communities argue that bottom trawling is an efficient way to harvest seafood when done responsibly and in the right locations.

The ocean plays a vital role in sustaining life on Earth. It is the largest ecosystem and provides essential services such as absorbing over 90% of the excess heat caused by greenhouse gas emissions. Without this natural buffer, global temperatures would be far higher, making the planet much less habitable. Scientists warn that rising ocean temperatures are causing widespread coral bleaching, threatening the survival of coral reefs, which are crucial habitats for many marine species. The UN Oceans Conference will bring together governments, scientists, and environmental organizations to discuss how to accelerate efforts to protect the oceans, including addressing controversial issues like deep sea mining. Many experts call for a precautionary approach to deep sea mining, emphasizing the need for more research before allowing commercial activities in these fragile environments.