I watched a television nature documentary titled Alaska’s Great Sea Lion Mystery. Biologist and diver Shane Moore investigated the dramatic decline in Alaska’s sea lion population. He asks the question: what is killing the sea lions? It was felt that it was a result of over fishing by Pollock fisheries, although this was shown to be too simplistic an answer. Nature is an enormous, intricate web of life. In viewing this complex web we continuously ask ourselves: how are things connected? A carefully balanced eco-system has been disturbed by human beings through whaling, oil pollution, and over fishing. There is also the contested views about climate change and its far reaching effects. A decline in certain animal populations has a knock on effect on other animal species. The Herring are vital to the survival of many creatures in Alaska including eagles, whales, sea lions, sea gulls, salmon, pollock and even human beings. Moore contends that changes in fish numbers can explain sea-lion decline.
The programme showed that the fate of man and animals are inextricably linked. Can we take from the ocean without destroying it, finding a more sustainable balance? Scientists are researching these very questions, looking at how the ocean system actually works. It is this understanding which will contribute towards an answer to this question. It helped me to think about the challenge of the environment and my part in this intricate web of life.
Hi Gary, must catch up yes indeed.
Have a message from your blog "gary i am feeling very unused"
Posted by: Scott Baxter | November 09, 2005 at 07:41 AM