Oceans Empty by 2048?

Published 04 November 06 03:26 AM | Zach

I was reading Slashdot this morning (havent gone to bed yet) and read this, I dont believe it but...

F34nor writes to mention a CBS news article about the depopulation of ocean species. According to a study by a scientist in Halifax, Nova Scotia and assisted by research from all around the world, the world's oceans will be emptied of large lifeforms by 2048. From the record: "Already, 29% of edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90% -- a drop that means the collapse of these fisheries. But the issue isn't just having seafood on our plates. Ocean species filter toxins from the water. They protect shorelines. And they reduce the risks of algae blooms such as the red tide. 'A large and increasing proportion of our population lives close to the coast; thus the loss of services such as flood control and waste detoxification can have disastrous consequences,' Worm and colleagues say."

That was the SlashDot article. I am going to bed now.

Comments

# scoutmom said on November 5, 2006 10:49 AM:

I saw this too.  One of those things that makes you go "hmmm, really?"  I understand the dire consequences of pollution, but if this is so severe already, why is this the first we are hearing about it?  I'm torn between outrage at the awful potential and taking this with a grain of salt since it is so severe an indictment of the world's handling of the seas.  Definitely merits more thought, though

# Krupo said on November 5, 2006 11:42 AM:

Sounds like another case of media sensationalism to make a story more "interesting" or "appealing" the mass public. The scientists are probably annoyed that whatever they were getting at was "hysteria-ized".