Man and the Last Great Wilderness: Human Impact on the Deep Sea

Synergies among anthropogenic impacts on deep-sea habitats. The lines link impacts that, when found together, have a synergistic effect on habitats or faunal communities. The lines are color coded showing the direction of the synergy. LLRW=low-level radioactive waste; CFCs=chlorofluorocarbons; PAHs= polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.Credit: Ramirez-Llodra E, et al. PLoS ONE.DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0022588 (Image amplify’d from Deep Blue Home)

A new study is out on the human impact on the deep sea.  Not only is this an important contribution, but it is also getting great pick up on the web.  (The basics are covered here on our webpage.)

The two best posts so far can be found at Nature and at Julia Whitty’s Deep Blue Home.  Nature highlights the finding that conservation lags far behind exploitation activities and the science.  Quoting the report:

"One of the main problems that continue to cause concern is that the fastest movers in the deep sea are those who wish to use it as a service provider. Lagging behind somewhat are the scientists, managers and legislators."

Meanwhile, Julia Whitty brings the story home with her seemingly unlimited collection of amazing ocean photos.  Check them out here.