Marine Protected Area’s Transcribed Through Digital Art
April 01, 2024
Priya Kulkarni
SDG 4: Life Below Water
Within this digital art piece depicting two individuals fishing at night time, SDG 14: Life Below Water is displayed with a particular emphasis on Target 14.4. This target/specific goal underscores the critical need for regulating harvesting practices to combat the pervasive issue of overfishing, a threat to marine ecosystems worldwide. Through the lens of this artwork done to display the completion of target 14.4 mainly through individual fishing practices, the significance of responsible resource management in preserving the delicate balance of oceans/underwater ecosystems and life is highlighted.
Regulating fishing practices to prevent overfishing involves a multifaceted approach, where one key strategy is the implementation of catch limits and quotas, which restrict the amount of fish that can be harvested from specific areas or by certain methods. Through the regulation/execution of these limits based on research and the analysis of fish populations and their subsequent impacts on marine ecosystems, authorities can ensure that fishing activities remain sustainable to prevent the depletion of underwater resources beyond their capacity to recover.
Part of the implementation of fishing regulations involves the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which play a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable marine habitats and species. These designated zones restrict/prohibit fishing activities altogether (whether individual or commercial), providing essential reserves where marine life can thrive undisturbed. By preserving biodiversity hotspots and critical spawning grounds within MPAs, regulators can bolster various aspects of marine ecosystems against the impacts of overfishing. Through the lens of creating an art piece focused on SDG 14, this artwork serves as a small reminder of the collective responsibility many reinforce by implementing such measures to protect life below water, especially regarding overfishing and maintaining sustainable marine practices.
Priya Kulkarni
2022 Cohort
