Publication Date

1-1990

Series Number

84

Publisher

Fisheries Department of Western Australia

City

Perth

ISBN

0 7309 1688 X

ISSN

1033 - 2790

Abstract

For the purpose of this review, the marine environment has been classified into three physical zones - the littoral zone, the open-shelf environment and the coral reef. Since the boundaries are arbitrary, there will inevitably be some overlap, but for this review the subject matter will be related to the area between low water of ordinary spring tides and the edge of the continental shelf; i.e., to a depth varying to 200 metres.

Human influences may have a dual role in affecting the marine environment, firstly in a causative manner and secondly in providing a remedy, in which case the emphasis moves into marine management.

While the effects of human influence may sometimes, except to the purist, be considered beneficial, e.g., those associated with mariculture or habitat "improvement" for stock enhancement purposes, for the most part the connotation has been one of detriment, encompassing the consequences of exploitation of living resources in excess of sustainable levels, habitat modification from mechanical and physical interference, and pollution from substances resulting from man's activities.

Habitat modification may result directly from harbour and marine developments, dredging, blasting, mining, aggregate extraction and dumping, seabed pipelines and cables, and effluent discharges. In a category of special significance to the open shelf are the consequences of fishing practices which may directly or indirectly modify the environment, together with localized problems from abandoned fishing gear. Faunal and floral assemblages may become modified by fishing and aquacultural activities, and non-indigenous organisms may be deliberately or accidentally introduced or translocated.

Polluting influences include chemicals from effluents, dumping and other human activities, nutrients, oils and dispersants, thermal pollution, radioactive wastes, and so on.

The review concludes that highly significant advances have been made in recent years in both fisheries management and environmental protection, nationally and internationally. However there remain some areas of continuing concern, and these and future situations will need to be evaluated individually, taking full consideration of past experiences.

Number of Pages

32

Keywords

Marine environment, Human influence, Fishing, Marine pollution, Marine ecology, Western Australia

Disciplines

Aquaculture and Fisheries | Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Marine Biology | Natural Resources Management and Policy | Oceanography | Oil, Gas, and Energy | Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology

Download

This file is 23.4 MB. Files over 3MB may be slow to open. For best results, right-click and select "save as..."

Share

COinS