Marine dead zones to put Philippines at risk—UN
By Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 23, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines—The United Nations and government environment officials have warned of increasing number of marine dead zones in the world, putting countries like the Philippines, which depend heavily on the oceans for food and jobs, in a precarious economic position.

Speaking at the first “Global Conference on Land-Ocean Connections,” UN Environment Program (UNEP) Director on Environmental Policy Ibrahim Thiaw warned on Monday of exploding marine litter from cities, fertilizers, tourism and industrial activities.

The pollutants from land have choked the life out in some of the world’s oceans, which have led to loss of habitats and species, he said.

“The health and integrity of our coasts have been further impacted by increased urbanization and tourism, over-exploitation of natural resources, and the ever-increasing marine pollution loads from maritime and land-based activities,” Thiaw said.
“One specific threat is the proliferation of ‘dead zones,’ where excess algal blooms stimulated by fertilizers and sewage are consuming all of the oxygen in the water, resulting in no or little life left in these areas. Over 240,000 square kilometers of estuaries and shelf areas and some of the most productive waters are affected by this threat,” he said.
The issue of wastes and litter in the world’s oceans and tributaries has often been neglected, Thiaw said, adding that the pollutants are out of sight and, therefore, “out of mind” of the communities and governments.

Sewage, for example, is a major source of pollution in the water. According to Thiaw, the world discharges 3 billion tons of wastewater every day and only 10 percent is treated. The rest of the waste would end up in estuaries and in the seas, damaging marine habitats and contaminating fisheries, he said.

Read full article @ globalnation.inquirer.net