Some of the Oldest Living Creatures Are Getting Crushed by Cruise Ship Anchors

studyfinds.org

11 points·strict9··3 comments

> The research team documented three massive giant volcano sponges (Anoxycalyx joubini) near the damaged areas, each standing 1-2 meters tall. These ancient filter-feeders are believed to be among the planet’s oldest animals. Yet nearby, the scientists found crushed sponge colonies and clear striations in the seafloor where anchor chains had scraped across the bottom.

I’m trying to decide how outraged to be about this. When I walk through my yard or the forest I’m also likely crushing bugs, ant hills, etc. Is it the same thing if that ant hill is old or big? Is it a big deal because it’s a cruise ship but OK if it was a fishing boat?

Sure, let’s try not to destroy any living thing on purpose, but some realism is also needed.

I think, as always, the real issue is "How much damage is done?".

Smoking a cigarette increases the chance of cancer in those around me. Multiply by the number of smokers.

Making a new coal-burning plant causes cancer and death by emphysema in those around it.

Farting increases global warming, which increases the chance of skin cancer in the world.

Each of those has a net amount of harm (which we can only attempt to quantify), and takes a certain amount of political and physical/economic effort to rectify (which in the case of coal plants, includes alternative types).

So, yes, is this a big deal, overall, or a fart in the wind?

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