About the Author: Asma Sultan is a clinical nursing professional with 13 years of experience in patient-centered care and surgical nursing services. Throughout her career, she has served in multiple leadership and specialized roles, including Infection Preventionist, Surgical Site Nurse, and Team Leader in a Surgical Care Unit. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing from Aga Khan University Hospital, with a strong interest in advancing healthcare practice and research.
Oceans are important to human life and the
stability of the global environment. They cover more than two-thirds of the
earth’s surfaces, are an important regulator of the climate, which are
responsible for the production of more than half of the world's oxygen, and absorbing
large amounts of carbon dioxide (United
Nations, 2024). Many people would think of protecting whales or sea turtles
when talking about marine conservation, but the importance of marine
conservation is not just for the beauty of marine life. Millions of people,
especially those in coastal areas, depend on marine sources for their food,
jobs, and livelihoods, especially in the fishing and tourism sectors. The
United Nations has thus established the “Life Below Water” as the Sustainable Development
Goal 14, which makes the conservation and sustainable use of marine ecosystems
a priority.
Although marine ecosystems are crucial, they are being
threatened by human activities such as plastic pollution, overfishing, and
climate change. Plastic pollution poses a significant environmental issue, with
around 11 million metric tons of plastic entering aquatic ecosystems every year
(United Nations Environment Programme, 2023). Marine animals often confuse
plastic waste for food, which can lead to injuring them, starving them, and
causing their death, and these microplastics are carried up the marine food
chain into humans. There are concerns about long-term health effects as humans
may be exposed to microplastics. (World Health Organization, 2022). Similarly,
Rodrigues et al. (2022) reported that exposure to microplastics may occur
through food, drinking water, and inhalation, with possible effects on
inflammation and human health. Climate change is also damaging coral reefs,
increasing ocean temperatures, and reducing marine biodiversity, threatening
food security and the survival of coastal populations.
The ocean is also a source of medicines. Many medicines that
are important for human life have been extracted from marine organisms, such as
anti-cancer drugs and infection drugs. Dirty, polluted oceans also create the
transmission of disease, as seafood can contaminate millions of people around
the world every year.
Marine health and well-being are directly affected by
degradation of marine ecosystems. Clean oceans create clean air, healthy
seafood, and sustainable livelihoods, while polluted oceans increase risks for
food insecurity, waterborne diseases, and contaminated food.
Fish stocks are diminishing for millions of people around the
world and pose a threat to nutritional security and livelihood of coastal
communities with limited resources. Moreover, degradation also weakens natural
coastal defense, such as mangroves and coral reefs, and makes communities more
vulnerable to storms, floods, and erosion. The above listed interconnected
issues demonstrate an interdependence of ocean health and human health. Hence,
preservation of marine ecosystems serves not only the environment, but is also
essential for public health.
These are the obstacles, but considerable progress can be made if we work together. Marine ecosystems are a shared responsibility between governments, industries, environmental organizations, healthcare professionals, and individuals. Actions to decrease single-use plastics, sustainable fishing methods, waste management, and environmental consciousness can substantially minimize damage of oceans. International programs that support SDG 14 promote and protect marine resources and sustainable future. The protection of life below water represents the protection of human health, food security, biodiversity, and future of the planet.
References
Rodrigues, A. C. B., de Jesus, G. P.,
Waked, D., Gomes, G. L., Silva, T. M., Yariwake, V. Y., da Silva, M. P.,
Magaldi, A. J., & Veras, M. M. (2022). Scientific evidence about the risks
of micro and nanoplastics (MNPLs) to human health and their exposure routes
through the environment. Toxics, 10(6), Article 308. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10060308
United Nations. (2024). Goal 14: Life
below water. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal14
United Nations Environment Programme.
(2023). Plastic pollution & marine litter. https://www.unep.org/topics/ocean-seas-and-coasts/ecosystem-degradation-pollution/plastic-pollution-and-marine-litter
World
Health Organization. (2022). Dietary and inhalation exposure to nano- and microplastic particles and potential
implications for human health. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240054608z
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