Our Problem:
The use of over-efficient fishing technology, the lack of sufficient scientific
data regarding the oceans, the ignorance and apathy of humanity towards this
oceanic crisis, and insufficient implementation of existing maritime agreements
are resulting in a decrease in the biodiversity of the ocean, changes to ocean
chemistry, changes in the genetic composition of marine species, disturbances
to the food web and ecosystem, collapse of fish stocks, and irreparable damage
to marine ecosystems and to the fishing industry (including all people
dependent on fish for sustenance, income, and cultural value).
Our Solution:
Our solution is to preserve the ocean ecosystems global fisheries by ending
overfishing, preserving marine ecosystems, and developing alternative measures
to meet the nutritional needs of the international populace.
Our Implementation
We will achieve this solution through the implementation of an eclectic and
socially sensitive educational campaign, international diplomatic measures, and
the promotion of healthy ecosystems through sustainable fishing as defined and
achieved by several implementation areas (i.e. aquaculture, technology
restrictions, etc.).
More detail about the solution are here.
Our official stance on the human v. fish continuum
We are scientists developing the best possible solution to save global fish
populations and marine ecosystems from collapse and provide sustainable global
fishing. We must speak for the fish and the solution above all else: while our
solution focuses on saving the oceans, it will be debated, altered, and
implemented by political figures with the needs of humanity as a priority.
Thus, a solution that is ocean centered will be implemented to balance the
needs of both oceans and humans. However, it is important to keep in mind that
while we place our focus on fish, preserving fish populations and ecosystems
will ultimately benefit humanity the most and is therefore universally
desirable.
DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE
Fishing healthy ecosystems at a level and in a manner that it is reasonably
believed can be continued indefinitely, assuming proper responses to ecosystem
changes.
DEFINITION OF HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS
A healthy ecosystem is characterized by optimal biodiversity, populations at
carrying capacity, an age distribution as close to normal as possible, natural
predator-prey balance, robustness to change, recovery of crashed populations,
and minimal negative anthropogenic changes in all of these criteria.
THIS IS OUR WEBSITE BANNER!
PLEASE Read the Website child page and add pertinent info (i.e. YOUR NAME on the "About Mission and Thank Yous" page, anyone you'd like to thank, pictures for the site, you finalized research, etc.)
Tuesday: MEETING in TERRASCOPE ROOM tonight
If you have 8.01, show up after your test!
Wednesday: Finalize assignments/duties for Thanksgiving break; room 26-100
WEBSITE DUE MONDAY: You MUST have what you want on the site due by MIDNIGHT. send to email address mrodrigz@mit.edu. You can also post it to the website wiki (as long as it is organized)
If your stuff isn't posted by midnight, we will hunt you down. If you could see my face, you'd know I'm not joking
Team Spaces
Team 1: Aquiculture
Team 2: Fishing technology
Team 3: Climate change
Team 4: Fish populations
Team 5: International and deep waters
Team 6: Politics and economics
Team 7: Coastal zone management
Team 89: Protected species and Marine Reserves and protected areas
Team 10: Fish biology