Apresentação Erasmus - Oceano

"Stepping Up To The Sustainable Development Goals"

Ocean Conservation

3. Sperm Whales

2. Endangered Species

1. Portuguese Coast

INDEX

Portuguese Coast

1. Fishing on Portuguese Coast

• Located on Transition Zone;
• Portugal seacoast is abundant in fish;
• Represents a big economic, social and cultural importance;
• Sardines, mackerel and horse mackerel;
• Is an controlled activity;
• Activity from generation to generation;

• 16 Km, between the Neiva River and Apúlia´s Zone;
• Have cold waters rich in nutrients, microorganisms (food and protection);
• Some of the specimens that stand out are the Tedania pilarriosae, Sabellaria alveolata;
• Non-native or invasive marine species are one of the main threats to the oceans and marine biodiversity, as they compete for food and territory with native species;

1.1 Portuguese North Coast Park

Non-Indigenous Species

Portugal's coastal areas and estuaries are home to 133 non-indigenous species, most originating from the Indo-Pacific region. These are affecting biodiversity and can cause high economic losses or directly harm human health.

• Irregular introduction of attractive species for sport fishing;
• Escape of animals bred in aquaculture tanks;
• The use of some species for biological control in an incorrect way;
• The discharge of ballast water from vessels;

The means of the introduction into marine ecosystems are diverse, but the most common are:

Is dificult to control some species in the Marine Environment. The Invase species can be introduced by accident or intentionally!

ACHIGÃ

LAGOSTIM VERMEHO

AMÊIJOA-ASIÁTICA

AMÊIJOA-JAPONESA

SOME INVASIVE SPECIES

Aquatic animals suffer from oil spills and also from plastic waste;They also suffer from the:Increase in water's temperature;Invasive Species that stay in various ecosystems;

OCEAN POLLUTION

To avoid the pollution, we can take some actions, sometimes small actions, like:

• Recycling;
• Reduce the use of chemicals in agriculture;

OCEAN POLLUTION

Endangered Species

Portugal is a country with 943 kilometres of coastline and it’s bathed by the Atlantic Ocean. This ocean is characterized by high marine abundance and diversity. However, many species are endangered.

Is a species currently rare in Northern Europe and the British Isles. It is expensive and rare in gastronomy, as it is only fished at the end of winter.

has a natural habitat in coral reefs and coastal waters and is rarely found in deep waters. These animals are in the nearest category to near-term extinction, Critically Endangered.

Is a very intelligent aquatic mammal, which has always been recognized as one of Man's best friends in the ocean. It normally eats various fish and shellfish.

Is a fish that lives on the high seas or in coastal areas, both at the surface of the water and at the bottom of the oceans. This animal can measure up to 4 meters in length and weigh about 500 kg.

Is a fish that has a long body, with an inner mouth and a reddish colour. It feeds on algae, invertebrates and insect larvae. Inhabits in shallow waters

Shad fish

Some Endangered Species

Boga-portuguesa

Swordfish

Dolphin

Hawksbill Turtle

The pollution of seas and rivers contributes to the extinction of some marine animals. The oceans are currently the final repository for huge amounts of toxic waste and effluents, such as non-biodegradable garbage. This trash, especially plastics, can be mistaken for food by fish, which end up dying after ingesting it. Another form of waste is the remains of fishing materials discarded on the sea by fishing vessels, such as lines and buoys, but most notably nets. Other important forms of pollution are discharges of fertilizers, sewage, and organic waste, which similarly happen in very high quantities.

As a result of greenhouse gas emissions, for example from burning fossil fuels, the world's temperature has been rising, which includes the oceans as well. The warming of the ocean's surface layer, up to 75 meters, has been about 0.3 °C since 1971. It is in this layer that most of the food available to creatures in all layers is produced; without the food available, they will eventually perish. Also, global warming causes the polar ice caps to melt and these are the habitat of a diversity of animals, which will be left without their homes.

The intervention of predatory human action contributes to the extinction of marine animals. Overfishing or illegal fishing is one of the greatest concerns of marine species protectors. Sometimes, while fishing with nets, there are too many creatures caught along with the ones that’ll later be exploited that are not economically interesting or are not edible. In the past 70 years, fishing has expanded and its magnitude has rapidly increased. The decline in recent years in the quantity of fish has been relatively insignificant.

Principal causes of the marine extinction

Pollucion

Global warming

Overfishing

Marine life is under increasing threat, and it is up to us to put in practice measures to sustain them. A study of marine mammals, birds, reptiles and fishes conducted by WWF shows that these populations have been halved over the past four decades, with some fish populations available for consumption showing a decline of up to 75%. The information indicates that this is a problem for every nation in the world.

Measures taken in Portugal to prevent the disappearance of these species

Creation of protected areas, such as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) or Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas. These areas aim to limit the impact of human activity on maritime areas;

Throw masks, tissues and gloves in the trash – Billions of masks and gloves are being produced and used during the pandemic. These items should be disposed of in an appropriate waste bin, not on the ground or beaches;

Consume less plastic – Plastics contribute to habitat destruction and kill tens of thousands of marine creatures every year. To limit their impact, you can carry a cloth or other reusable bag with you when you go shopping and recycle wherever possible, for example.

Do not throw cigarettes on the ground – About 4.3 billion cigarettes are thrown on the ground every year and 40% of them end up in the oceans. Containing more than 100 harmful substances, they contaminate soil and waterways.

Rehabilitation of populations of endangered species by artificial means.

Development of sustainable fisheries

Sperm Whales

THANKS!