Dive Pacific 175 Dec2020 Jan 2021

plunging up and down through the
water column, they keep kicking
phytoplankton back up to the
surface, giving it more time to reproduce
before it sinks into the abyss.
Taking the eco system
approach
Today most of the large baleen
whale populations are still greatly
reduced in numbers compared to
just 150 years ago. With less than
7% of ocean wilderness protected,
marine scientists are recognizing the
importance of protecting complete
marine ecosystems for keeping all of
us healthy and our oceans thriving.
With the new knowledge of trophic
cascades, we can now begin to focus
on ocean conservation and recovery
efforts on an ecosystem-wide
approach. We now know this is
essential in maintaining the structure,
function, and biodiversity of
most natural oceanic ecosystems.
We owe so much to the ocean. My
own personal connection to the
ocean started at a young age when
…With the new knowledge of trophic cascades, we can now
begin to focus on ocean conservation and recovery efforts on
an ecosystem-wide approach… essential in maintaining the
structure, function, and biodiversity of most natural oceanic
ecosystems…
my father strapped on my back his
newly invented SCUBA equipment
and allowed me to breathe underwater
for the very first time. That
was back in 1945, 75 years ago. Back
then, the understanding of ecosystems,
interconnection and trophic
cascades was not well documented
in the scientific literature. But since
then, we have learned a tremendous
amount about our interconnection
and dependence on healthy, productive
oceans. And there is no doubt,
we still have much to learn, appreciate
and protect.
Our water planet,
our only home
This water planet is our only home,
and we must do everything in
our power to protect it, from the
microscopic plankton to the giant
whales whose numbers we hope will
continue to recover and increase.
When you protect the ocean, you
protect yourself.
Reaching lengths of close to 30.5 metres and weighting over
150 tonnes, blue whales are the largest animal to have ever
lived; larger than the largest dinosaur. They number over
25,000 individuals today, making a slow and steady comeback
after being hunted to near extinction less than 50 years ago.
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