The 27 scientists from 18 organizations in six countries reviewed scientific research from around the world and concluded the looming extinctions are "unprecedented in human history" and have called for "urgent and unequivocal action to halt further declines in ocean health." The main factors are effects from the "deadly trio": climate change, ocean acidification, and lack of oxygen. Overfishing and pollution add to the problem.

"The findings are shocking. As we considered the cumulative effect of what humankind does to the ocean the implications became far worse than we had individually realized. This is a very serious situation demanding unequivocal action at every level," said Alex Rogers, scientific director of IPSO.

"This study shows we cannot look at ecosystems, species, and environmental problems in isolation. This research points out that combined impacts of all the stressors are far more severe than what scientists might conclude by looking at individual problems," said David Suzuki.

"The time to protect the blue heart of our planet is today, now and urgent" said Dan Laffoley, Marine Chair of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on protected areas and Senior Advisor on Marine Science and Conservation for IUCN.