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Onno, I would agree that the ocean environment is likely one of the healthiest we've seen in a long time but you and the people you had those conversations with all know that this is going to change. I've seen the good times and I have survived the bad times. The bad times will return again and the science indicates that El Nino and La Nina occurances are going to get more intense with the climatic changes that we are undergoing. The establishment of a network of marine reserves will help those effected species survive better in these changing conditions and without them, we will continue the downward trend of species extinction.

Yes, yes, I know there are peaks and valleys in these fish populations but I am sure you can't find a single specie since European settlement that isn't on a downward trend. If we don't address the very real threat of population growth and subsequent stress on our natural resources coupled with the climate changes we are currently experiencing, this trend will certainly continue.

posted 5 years, 3 months ago
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