Marine aquatic ecosystems are considered to be the largest of the aquatic ecosystems on Earth. They have a high salinity and include bodies of water such as the ocean, lagoon, the deep sea, and sea floors. Once of the marine ecosystems that has been a central focus, especially recently, is the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is located off of the Atlantic Ocean, and it is considered to have a tropical climate. According to epa.gov, The Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. Some of the species or habitants that dwell in the gulf are different types of whales, dolphins, sea turtles, and sea-birds. Along the sea floor there are coral reef situated. There are also large birds The Gulf of Mexico produces a variety of resources that we use. One of the main resources is the fisheries provided in the gulf. Fisheries in the gulf are considered one of the most productive in the world. In 2010, the estimated shellfish and commercial fish harvest from the gulf fisheries was estimated to be about 1.3 billion pounds (epa.gov). Agriculture is definitely affected by the Gulf of Mexico. There is currently an area that is called the dead zone. Within this area of the gulf, there is an excessive supply of nitrogen in this area due to fossil fuel combustion, crop cultivation, and synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. With the increase of nitrogen, there is a process that is called hypoxia that will occur. Many people believe that the species in the fisheries will be affected which will definitely have an adverse effect amongst the residents in which these fish or even shrimp are delivered to. America and the rest of the world has definitely seen in the past with events such as the BP oil spill, how pollution can affect the wildlife that is located in the gulf. Many of the species died or were harmed during the oil spill. The photos displayed on the news of oil drenched birds and other habitants sent many people in an uproar. Accidents like the BP oil spill are just one way that the gulf’s creatures have been affected. Human population also affects the nature of the Gulf of Mexico. The population among the five states that are located off of the Gulf of Mexico are expected to increase to approximately 61.4 million people by the year 2025 (epa.gov). There are already problems of over fishing with our current population, so we can definitely estimate that these resources will be depleted at an even faster rate due to population growth.
The Gulf of Mexico coastal ecosystems are challenged with numerous threats. Changing climate conditions and the growing population and activities of humans in the area pose threats for many reasons. With conserving the natural environment and protecting the species we must come up with plans to sustain the ecosystem. To remain healthy and sustainable the communities of the gulf region must ensure that economic development is consistent with environmental sustainability. Get surrounding communities to pitch in and create less littering and les run off from local business into the water. We can get less people to go fishing such as over fishing and making the species such as fish become scarce. Also making sure such horrible things like the BP oil spill can never happen again. Sewage from surroundings areas must slowly stop which is hurting the oceans health. Plans need to be put into action to help clean up the ocean and conserve what is left of the ecosystem. For example such as, cleaning the debris surrounding the ecosystem, making sure the communities put in effort as well to improve the overall health of the environment. A few ways for conserving the natural resources are, dispose of thrash reasonability and dispose of other things such as motor oil and cooking grease responsibility to ensure the health of the surrounding ecosystems. Also reducing the carbon dioxide exposure will ensure the health of the aquatic environment. Getting big corporations to do less coastal building can have a huge impact on the marine ecosystem. Recognizing renewable and non-renewable energy and the different risks and benefits related with using a non-renewable and renewable energy resource from the marine aquatic ecosystem or in areas near the Gulf of Mexico, There are many different risks such as the transforming climate conditions and the over populating and intense activities of humans, visits the area and pose threat for several reasons. While conserving the natural environment and the protecting the species we have implemented structural plans to sustain the ecosystem. Renewable energy comes from natural resources that are replenished on a human time scale and be in the forms of rain, sunlight, wind, waves and geothermal heat, this substitutes conventional fuels such as , electricity, motor oil, rural, hot water heating. And non-renewable energy is resources the does not reestablish itself at a satisfactory rate for a supportable economic extraction in meaningful human time-frame, for example carbon based, organically- deprived fuel such as natural gas, oil, coal The Gulf Mexico strives to remain healthy and supportable to the communities of the gulf of region must ensure that the economic development is consistent with environment sustainability. Visitors are asked to limited the fishing trips and let the species multiply and other problems like, cleaning up behind themselves; help improve overall health of the environment. The best ways to keep the environment safe is to dispose all trash in the proper place and take old used oils to an oil recycling center to dispose properly, and reduce the carbon dioxide exposure by testing the health risks levels in the area of the aquatic ecosystem. Posting of signs will help the community to be mindful of the risks that could occur and the cause an unhealthy environment for all species and humans. And get the community involvement in voluntary to help clean for area for future visits. The Gulf of Mexico Ecosystems includes coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds, are threatened by a number of factors including unsustainable development and fishing practices. Ecosystem-based-Management (EBM) recognizes the need to protect entire ecosystems instead of individual species. EBM is the most dedicated approach to protecting marine and coastal ecosystems. The main objective of EBM is to Assist with the management of marine and coastal ecosystems of the region on a sustainable basis, particularly through sustainable practices. Mobilizing the political will and action of governments and other partners for the conservation and sustainable use of coral reefs and associated ecosystems such as mangroves and seagrass beds is another goal of the EBM. Regulations on commercial fishing, oil drilling, and shrimping aid in preserving the health of the ecosystem. Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) GCRMN is a network that works to improve the management and conservation of coral reefs by providing manuals, equipment, databases, training, problem solving and helps with finding funds for reef monitoring – all coordinated in a global network. CEP continues to provide assistance to countries as appropriate for participation in GCRMN, through targeted coral reef monitoring, development of subregional and regional reef monitoring agencies. Dramatic declines in some marine species caused by overfishing provide striking examples of failed management practices and ineffective governance in the face of imperfect scientific knowledge (Lotze et al. 2006, Hilborn 2007). These high-profile failures in single-species fisheries management led, in the mid-1990s, to efforts by the US Congress to mandate improvements in governance and a broader, more ecological approach. For example, Congress required that Fishery Management Plans identify habitat essential for the productivity of a species or stock (i.e., "essential fish habitat"). Essential fish habitat and other habitat-based approaches have the potential to offer protection for more than just a focal species, but their ancillary benefits to nontarget species are not well understood. In conclusion, It is well known how important The Gulf of Mexico is to its surrounding Inhabitants, but a growing population and poor use of resources have taken its toll on this ecosystem. Only through well managed sustaining and conserving practices can this ecosytem continue to thrive. Marine aquatic ecosystems are considered to be the largest of the aquatic ecosystems on Earth, and it is responsible for feeding and providing a great deal of natural resources for most of the world.

References
General Facts about the Gulf of Mexico. (2014, January 30). Retrieved September 3, 2014, from http://epa.gov/gmpo/about/facts.html
Inger, R., Attrill, M. J., Bearhop, S., Broderick, A. C., James Grecian, W., Hodgson, D. J., Mills, C., Sheehan, E., Votier, S. C., Witt, M. J. and Godley, B. J. (2009), Marine renewable energy: potential benefits to biodiversity? An urgent call for research. Journal of Applied Ecology, 46: 1145–1153. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01697.x
Ruckelshaus, M., Klinger, T., Knowlton, N., & DeMaster, D. P. (2008). Marine Ecosystem-based Management in Practice: Scientific and Governance Challenges. Bioscience, 58(1), 53-63. doi:10.1641/B580110