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=__Extinctions on the rise in the Galapagos: overfishing and global warming devastating islands' species =0 __  =




__//​ The Problem!!!//__ Sev eral species of marine plants and animals are believed to have become extinct and many others are seriously threatened, a new report reveals. Researchers blame the impact of rising ocean temperatures coupled with fishing and tourism. Once abundant coral reefs and kelp beds had been wiped out in just a few decades, said the scientists from US-based Conservation International. Species that were previously plentiful such as the Galapagos black-spotted damselfish, the 24-rayed sunstar and the Galapagos stringweed were now thought to have vanished. Dozens of others, including the Galapagos penguin, were within a hairsbreadth of annihilation.

=   = = = = = __ //The Potential Consequences =[// __

<span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;"> <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">The wildlife we eat today was part of an ecosystem which was under stress from global climate change and when these ecosystems are damaged, alot of species can vanish.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Climate changes will increase the erosion of coral reefs.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Many species are now known as vulnerable due to over fishing.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Expansion of sea urchin populations has upset the delicate web of marine life in the islands.


 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Which is causing them to consume more algea at high rates. Algea is __VERY!__ important for other marine species.

<span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;"> __The Solution =D__ <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;"> <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> =<span style="background-color: #000080; color: #90f9f9; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;"> = $$$$$$$ <span style="background-color: #ffff00; color: #000080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 180%;">The economy $$$$$$ <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 80%;"> <span style="color: #1bb1b1; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 150%;"> <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;"> <span style="color: #800000; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">Soruces :
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Catch share programs replace complex rules dictating how fishing will be practiced
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">Fishermen, individually or in cooperatives, are granted a percentage share of the total allowable catch. They can also be granted exclusive access to particular fishing zones.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 160%;">As long as fishermen do not exceed their share, they have greater flexibility to fish when weather and market conditions are best.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">As the fisherman shares grow in value as the overall fishery improves, providing them a greater financial stake in sound resource management.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">The economy can manage the amount of fish that people take.
 * <span style="color: #16a7a7; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 150%;">We could manage the temperature of the water.


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