Global Map of human impact on world's marine ecosystem

figure from: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=111113

Scientists from a consortium of unviersities, NGOs, and U.S. government agencies published a report with several maps on the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystems. The findings are dire and urgent action is needed. Published in Science magazine, the study was funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). At least 40% of the world's oceans are severely impacted and degraded by such varied activities/phenomena as fishing, pollution, trash, and global warming. See NSF's statement.