sea cucumber 復習
海洋に住む生物が，1970年以来，約半数となっていることが判明しました。研究によると，特に人間が食料としているマグロやサバは74％も減少しているそうです。減少の原因は，生物達が繁殖する前に，過剰に漁を行っているためです。
記事の中で気になった単語は"sea cucumber"です。『Wisdom英和辞典第三版』（三省堂）によると「ナマコ」という意味でした。海のキュウリがナマコを表すのは面白いと思いました。（Ume）
Marine population halved since 1970 - report
"Human activity has severely damaged the ocean by catching fish faster than they can reproduce while also destroying their nurseries," said Marco Lambertini, head of WWF International.
The report says that sea cucumbers - seen as a luxury food throughout Asia - have seen a significant fall in numbers, with a 98% in the Galapagos and 94% drop in the Red Sea over the past few years.
The study notes the decline of habitats - such as seagrass areas and mangrove cover - which are important for food and act as a nursery for many species.
Climate change has also played a role in the overall decline of marine populations.
The report says carbon dioxide is being absorbed into the oceans, making them more acidic, damaging a number of species.
The authors analysed more than 1,200 species of marine creatures in the past 45 years.
