Conservation of ocean or marine life has attracted significant attention in recent years given the devastating impacts of human activities on these ecosystems. This paper examines a study conducted to promote conservation of marine or ocean life across the globe. The review demonstrates the significance of combining policy interventions and management interventions to achieve this. 
Background

Ocean or marine areas cover approximately 71% of the Earth’s surface. Even though the depths of these areas are yet to be fully explored or exploited, they are habitats for a huge portion of the world’s biodiversity and essential in global climate change (Addis, p.5). Ocean or marine biodiversity is recognized across the globe as an essential component of life not only in the oceans, but also on Earth. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development states that ocean or marine areas are key components of the Earth’s ecosystem to an extent that without them life on Earth would be difficult and relatively impossible in its current form (p.3). The significance of ocean or marine areas to life on Earth is attributable to their role in regulating the climate and production of oxygen. Despite this global recognition, ocean or marine life conservation has emerged as a major issue in today’s society given the devastating impacts on human activities on the Earth’s ecosystem. 

Katsanevakis et al. states that cumulative human effects have contributed to the degradation of marine ecosystems, especially in developed countries in European region (p.2). Ocean or marine ecosystems are increasingly under threat from human activities, particularly industrialization. For example, 90% of the global fish stocks in today’s ocean/marine ecosystems are regarded to have been either exploited up or overfished beyond sustainability. Additionally, other biodiverse habitats such as coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds are under threat. The significant threat posed by human activities on ocean and marine ecosystems continue to endanger human life. The overfishing or exploitation of fish resources beyond sustainability levels affect between 10% and 12% of the global population that depends on fisheries industry to earn a living. Most of these affected people are in developing countries. Moreover, these human activities endanger the ability of the ocean or marine areas to regulate climate. Currently, the world has experienced significant increases in water temperatures and ocean acidification, which have significant ramifications.

Given the devastating impacts and threats to ocean and marine ecosystems, the issue of ocean/marine life conservation has attracted significant attention in the international policy agenda. Ocean or marine conservation has been the subject of regional and international agreements as sustainable use of marine, ocean, and sea resources is considered critical toward preservation of human life. The need for preservation of ocean or marine areas is attributable to the fact that without conservation, many marine species populations may be susceptible to extinction and ongoing decline due to numerous local, regional, and international threats relating to human activities (Polidoro et al., p.1). As a result, numerous studies have been conducted on conservation of ocean or marine life. Existing studies focus on different aspects relating to this topic, particularly various approaches or strategies that can be utilized to protect ocean or marine life. These studies seek to identify evidence-based approaches that can help safeguard ocean/marine life and enhance human life.

Material and Methods

Since no practical aspects of research was conducted, existing studies on the topic were identified. One of the studies carried out to explore the issue of ocean or marine life conservation is a study conducted by a group of researchers led by Elizabeth R. Selig. The study was selected on the premise that it addresses the topic from a global perspective given that its devastating impacts are felt worldwide. In this regard, this group of researchers examined current international priorities for marine biodiversity conservation. These researchers conducted the study on the premise that marine populations worldwide continue to experience declines in abundance due to widespread human activities (Selig et al., p.1). Selig et al. also conducted the research on the premise that identification of priority areas like hotspots, ecoregions or high-biodiversity wilderness areas has been critical tools in conservation planning for ocean or marine life/ecosystems. 

For this study, the researchers used modeled species distribution data in which 12,497 species from various sources were included. The distribution data was used to obtain the...…taken into consideration. Selig et al. commenced their study by identifying priority areas across the globe that are characterized by different levels of human activities and their associated effects. This is critical given that there are numerous factors other than biodiversity that affect marine or ocean ecosystems and need to be evaluated and dealt with through management interventions.

Priority setting for conservation of ocean or marine life across the globe should be based on identification of these areas. This is primarily because different countries across the world have different human impact levels on ocean or marine ecosystems. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach may be difficult to identify and utilize in addressing these human impact levels and promoting conservation or ocean or marine life. This implies that every country requires a customized approach that focuses on the type of human activities affecting ocean or marine life within the region. 

Most countries have attempted to promote conservation of ocean/marine ecosystems through enacting different policies that target different priority areas such as fishing, land-based pollution, and ocean-based pollution. While policy interventions are essential toward promoting and enhancing conservation, they are not entirely effective. These interventions should be combined with management interventions in order to ensure that the threat of human activity to ocean or marine life is significantly reduced. Populations across the globe need to urgently devise and implement measures for conservation of ocean or marine life since these ecosystems are critical for the survival and wellbeing of human populations.

In conclusion, preservation of ocean or marine life is increasingly critical in the modern society given the increased depletion of natural resources that are essential for human life and survival. Human activities have continued to deplete or over-exploit ocean or marine life like fisheries. This continues to pose significant threats to the survival and wellbeing of human populations across the globe. In this regard, the issue of conservation of ocean or marine life has attracted considerable attention in recent years. This study provides significant insights regarding the conservation of ocean or marine life through identification of priority areas. A combination of policy and management interventions is required for conservation of ocean or marine…