The risk that fish populations could go the way of the buffalo is the subject of a lecture being put on by the Bermuda Zoological Society on Tuesday.

Top US oceanographer Dr. Steve Gittings will speak on 'The Last Buffalo Hunt: The Unsustainability of Oceans' - a lecture at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo on the implications of hunting and fishing on the world's ecosystems.

Dr. Gittings, a science coordinator for the American National Marine Sanctuary of the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, will focus on the dangers posed to the world's oceans when the exploitation of marine species is needed to support increasing human populations.

"Years of monitoring in marine sanctuaries has proven that we are very good at destroying things before they are even discovered," Dr. Gittings said.

Using historical examples of the effects of hunting on land-based ecosystems, Dr. Gittings' lecture and slide show will illustrate how fishing affects oceans when marine resources are harvested.

Dr. Gittings said modern ocean exploration is vital: "Less than five percent of the world's oceans have been explored in even a cursory sense.

"If we wish to make the most of our ocean planet, we must make the commitment to investigate what's underneath.

"A key to understanding the diversity and opportunity of one of the world's most remarkable habitats is simply protecting it, raising the question: 'What lies ahead for what lies below?' " he said.

Dr. Gittings' lecture is on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and is open to the public. Tickets are available at the BAMZ front desk.