In its bid to developing the coastal regions, in living up with the world trade and food production competitions and export demands, the Europeans are on the verge of losing its biodiversity and marine resources.
Yes, Europe’s four regional seas, which add up to be bigger than the land it has, are found to be degrading alarmingly. Thanks to more than 100 scientists from 15 countries, who have revealed this on the World Oceans Day’s eve.
And, if further damage from current and emerging development patterns in the European countries, especially the coastal areas, is not regulated effectively, environmental damage may reach a point of ‘no-return.’
This dire consequence for the sea is predicted by models developed by a €2.5M EU research project.
The project coordinator, Professor Laurence Mee, Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth said,
In every sea, we found serious damage related to the accelerated pace of coastal development, the way we transport our goods and the way we produce our food on land as well as the sea. Without a concerted effort, to integrate protection of the sea into Europe’s development plans, its biodiversity and resources will be lost.
It is for the concerned authorities and trading industries to decide on if economy should be chosen ‘absolutely’ over environment and marine biodiversity for the region’s overall development – or strike a balance between the two for a ‘sustainable’ economic and social growth.