The Covid-19 pandemic has affected almost every aspect of human life, but what about life underwater? How has the virus impacted the health and sustainability of the oceans and the marine organisms that depend on them? This essay will explore some of the positive and negative effects of Covid-19 on life underwater, focusing on three main areas: fishing, pollution, and conservation.
One of the most obvious impacts of Covid-19 on life underwater is the reduction of fishing activities. Due to lockdowns, travel restrictions, market closures, and health risks, many fishing vessels have stopped or reduced their operations. This has led to a decrease in fishing pressure on some fish stocks, which could allow them to recover from overexploitation. For example, a study found that the catch of Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Mediterranean Sea declined by 50% in 2020 compared to 2019. However, not all fish stocks may benefit from reduced fishing. Some fish species, such as sharks and rays, are more vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, which may increase as a result of weaker monitoring and enforcement during the pandemic. Moreover, the reduced fishing activities have also affected the livelihoods and food security of millions of people who depend on fishing for income and nutrition.
Another impact of Covid-19 on life underwater is the change in pollution levels. On one hand, the pandemic has led to a decrease in some sources of pollution, such as greenhouse gas emissions, industrial effluents, and tourism waste. This could have positive effects on the water quality and climate resilience of the oceans. For example, a study found that global CO2 emissions declined by 8.8% in the first half of 2020 compared to the same period in 20193. On the other hand, the pandemic has also increased some sources of pollution, such as medical waste and single-use plastics. These items can pose serious threats to marine life if they end up in the oceans. For example, masks and gloves can entangle or suffocate animals, while plastic fragments can be ingested or accumulate toxins.
A third impact of Covid-19 on life underwater is the influence on conservation efforts. On one hand, the pandemic has created some opportunities for conservation, such as increased public awareness, scientific research, and policy action. For example, many people have become more interested in learning about and protecting marine life during the lockdowns. Some researchers have also taken advantage of the reduced human activity to study the behavior and recovery of marine animals. Moreover, some governments have announced new commitments or initiatives to conserve marine biodiversity and combat climate change. On the other hand, the pandemic has also posed some challenges to conservation, such as reduced funding, disrupted management, and delayed action. For example, many conservation projects and organizations have faced financial difficulties or operational constraints due to the pandemic. Some marine protected areas have also suffered from reduced patrolling and enforcement. Furthermore, some international negotiations and agreements on ocean issues have been postponed or canceled due to the pandemic.
In conclusion, Covid-19 has had both positive and negative effects on life underwater. The pandemic has affected fishing activities, pollution levels, and conservation efforts in different ways. While some impacts may be temporary or reversible, others may be long-lasting or irreversible. Therefore, it is important to monitor and evaluate the impacts of Covid-19 on life underwater and take appropriate actions to mitigate the negative effects and enhance the positive ones.
References
1. un.org
2. csis.org
3. forbes.com
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