| Ever visit someplace from childhood and wonder, | | | | from that point on will strive to preserve what |
| "wow, I remember it being much more | | | | they believe is a healthy population, unaware of |
| expansive"? Now, go back a few more times and, | | | | the losses already incurred. |
| before long, it will all appear normal. While not | | | | So what can be done to avoid shifting our |
| entirely the same concept, this is a worthwhile | | | | baselines? While I may have said there was no |
| starting point for the worrisome idea of Shifting | | | | science lesson, there were no promises made |
| Baselines. Wait, come back! It may be a | | | | regarding history! "Those who cannot remember |
| complicated-sounding term, but there's no science | | | | the past are condemned to repeat it," - George |
| lesson here today. Shifting Baselines essentially | | | | Santayana. When written, it is likely there was |
| represents a change in what is perceived as | | | | little consideration for coral reefs, forests, or |
| normal. It is most often applied to environmental | | | | global fisheries given, however, the principle is the |
| degradation, specifically in the oceans. So why is a | | | | same. By educating on the past, there is a better |
| change in perceptions an issue? Well, say a | | | | chance of saving the future. |
| fisherman spent their entire life working the sea, | | | | As an avid diver, snorkeler, and recreational fisher, |
| never changing fishing grounds. If any aspect of | | | | I have seen a marked change in the marine |
| the catch changed during their life, they'd be able | | | | habitats frequented. Coral reefs once rich with life |
| to recall days of better (or worse) results. For | | | | are, to me, comparatively barren wastelands, a |
| them, the baseline is constant. A "big" fish is the | | | | result of direct (overfishing, boat groundings, |
| same size their entire career, as is a "good" catch. | | | | careless tourists) and indirect (increased fertilizer |
| Now, take the perspective of a fisherman new to | | | | runoff, inadequate sewage treatment systems, |
| the area. They have no idea what the conditions | | | | decreased freshwater flow from the Everglades) |
| were in years past, therefore, their "baseline" is | | | | impacts. Of course, new visitors see the |
| set to when they start. | | | | still-colorful and fish-laden reef and perceive it as |
| Still unsure as to the dangers of a shifting | | | | beautiful and unspoiled. My baseline, while not one |
| baseline? Here's some specifics to paint a clearer | | | | of an "unspoiled" environment either, would be |
| picture: | | | | inconceivably stunning to those onlookers. |
| - Fisherman 1 (lifelong resident) considers a "big | | | | So now, with a newfound understanding of the |
| fish" 150 lbs. and a "good" catch 1,000 lbs. | | | | troubles facing continually shifting perceptions, I |
| - Fisherman 2 (new resident) has no previous | | | | want your opinion! What can be done to stem the |
| experience, so a "big fish" for them is 50 lbs. and | | | | continuing change in baselines, no matter the field? |
| a subsequently "good" catch nets (forgive the | | | | Also, have you experienced a Shifting Baseline, |
| pun) 400 lbs. | | | | where others applauded what was once |
| Due to this principle, modern onlookers have | | | | considered subpar? Tell us about it! Send your |
| "shifted" their "baselines" (perception of normal) | | | | story to A particularly-inspiring recollection, with |
| and don't realize the massive decreases in both | | | | your permission, will be reprinted on our blog and |
| fish size and numbers. Conservation measures | | | | website. |