| the ocean |
The Effects of Tourism
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Tourism has become a major factor affecting the ocean. This is a purely commercial business, even if it goes under the name of 'eco-tourism'; often, tourists do not even know that what they are doing harms the environment. Resort facilities disrupt sea life and coasts are often altered to suit tourists' demands; land is reclaimed, destroying sea bed life. Ironically, eco-tourism often causes more destruction to the sea than good, and often, tourists are misled into believing efforts are being made to preserve nature while still providing a good time for them. The demands of the tourism industry shape the coastline and cause marine development that threatens natural havens or make the area artificial and unnatural.
Tourism causes damage to the environment in ways such the dropping of ship anchors on coral reefs, dumping of ship sewage, coral harvesting for tourist products and even the scraping of a boat propeller on a reef. Divers disturb reef life and can damage corals, and even small boats can cause damage to underwater flora. When a seaside resort offers watersport facilities, constant damage is done to the nearby area. The construction of facilities destroys coastal life, and the dumping that results in the process of construction certainly does not help matters. Reefs and seabeds can sustain damage which will take many years to repair. The anchor a cruise ship filled with tourists drops causes great damage to corals because of its weight and material. Any form of waterfront development is likely to pollute the sea through the dumping of sewage. |
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OceanQuest
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[introduction] [culture]
[problems] |
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