Dangerous changes are occurring in the ocean
Marine biologist Gerwin Gretsche is keeping an eye on the Mediterranean. Every day he sees the sea change. The general public can learn why this change is dangerous at his diving school.
Gerwin Gretsche prepares himself for his upcoming dive. He has tested the water many times in Valsulinuh, Croatia. This marine biologist from Austria started diving here 35 years ago.
Marine biologist Gerwin Gretsche states that not much has changed in the first 20 to 25 years. There has been an incredible change in the last six to ten years. Now it is changing almost every month.
Above the water everything is as usual blue sky, clear water, and people relaxing by the sea
Underwater, the change is clear. Just a few years ago, the bay was full of seagrass and various species. They were known as the lungs of the sea. They played an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
Lovrečina Bay has turned into an underwater wasteland, losing all its vegetation and seagrass. This vital marine habitat has vanished in just a few years. And its consequences are dramatic.
Gerwin Gretsche, a marine biologist at the Pula Marine School, stated that the loss of biodiversity puts humans at risk because nature can no longer filter our pollution.
Scientists are concerned that the Mediterranean Sea is warming faster than the rest of the world’s oceans. As a result, many non-native marine species are increasingly trying to colonize the Adriatic Sea. Like the blue crab, they are in direct competition with sponge crabs. As a result, the time of hunting is hampered.
Fishermen, on the other hand, prefer blue crabs because restaurant owners buy them at a good price. But for the last few years they have not been getting enough fish.
Local fisherman Marinko Lapov goes fishing with a small boat that once belonged to his father. He said, “Previously, the situation was very good, many fish were available.” There are now fewer fish. Earlier, the profit would have been more!”
A very poisonous fish recently caught a puffer fish. They are usually found in tropical waters. Marinko Lapov said, “Now puffer fish is available here. I’ve heard that they are toxic. You can usually eat everything but people don’t know this fish. We need to check on the phone to see what fish we are getting.”
Croatia depends on tourism. Tourists flock to the country’s thousands of islands and two thousand kilometers of beaches. It also has a dark side. New buildings are being constructed, environmental pollution is increasing, there are also structural weaknesses. But the Adriatic is still accepting.
“The ocean has its own laws,” says marine biologist Gerwin Gretsche. “They are not applicable to land. And we always consider the situation with the law of the land.
We cannot rebuild what we destroy here. We can just leave it like this and hope that nature will reconstruct itself,” he added.
The Marine School has recently acquired a stunning aquarium. Here youngsters get an idea of the ideal marine ecosystem.
