Threats to the Marine Biome

Marine biomes are under a diversity of threats including habitat destruction, climate change, offshore oil drilling, marine debris, overfishing and oil spills. Less than one percent of habitats within marine biomes are protected compared to 11.5 percent of global land area. Laws and regulations do exist to protect marine life and its habitats. Some of these protections include marine protected areas, national marine sanctuary and marine reserve. Additional treaties, protections and laws include the United Nations Law of the Sea, Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act and others.