The ocean is a massive, mysterious world, home to countless species that keep its ecosystems running smoothly. But now, many of these marine animals are in serious trouble, facing threats from human activities like overfishing, pollution and climate change.
We’ll look at the current status of endangered aquatic species, and what’s being done to protect them.
Our oceans are in crisis, with many of its species being threatened or endangered. Overfishing, habitat destruction and pollution are taking a heavy toll.
The number of species listed as endangered from marine life are whales, dolphins, manatees and dugongs, salmon, seabirds, sea turtles, and sharks to name a few.
The vaquita, for example, is a small porpoise living in the Gulf of California. There are only about 20 left because of fishing net entanglements—the only known threat to the vaquita is entanglement in fishing gear.
Meanwhile, the blue whale, the largest creature on Earth, is still recovering from past whaling, and despite protections, its population remains fragile. Centuries of overfishing have left many populations critically endangered. Grey whales are now only found in the North Pacific, and right whales in the North Atlantic.
Green turtles are endangered and Loggerhead sea turtles are considered endangered or threatened, depending on the location. Hawksbill turtles and Leatherback turtles are also in decline.
Their numbers are threatened by fishing, fishing gear, pollution, loss of habitat, egg harvesting, and nesting habitat degradation. Climate change affects turtle nesting locations by changing the temperature of the sand, which in turn influences hatchling sex.
Coral is a sea animal, too! Being sessile, or "taking root" like most plants, corals attach to the ocean floor. They are animals because they do not make their food like plants do. Coral gives other sea habitants protection, and a place to breed and spawn. Over 25 corals are listed as endangered or threatened - such as coral reefs in the Atlantic and Indonesia.
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The disappearance of marine species has serious consequences. When these animals are gone, it disrupts the food chains and harms the ecosystems they’re a part of.
This ripple effect can impact other species and even local economies that rely on tourism or fishing for income. Beyond that, there’s an ethical responsibility to protect marine life and preserve the natural world for future generations.
Conservation efforts to save endangered marine species are happening at every level, from international agreements to community projects.
An individual can help protect marine life by reducing water use, reducing plastic use, and getting involved with marine conservation organizations.
RealStep marine conservation programs are also a way to get involved. In Costa Rica, students can join an environmental internship on sea turtle protection. Interns can participate in gathering research data for conservation organisations such as Sea Turtle Conservancy, and the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications (MINAET).
In the Canary Islands, RealStep offers a program focused on the protection of whales and dolphins. Whales and dolphins off the coast of the Canary Islands face several challenges: intensive fishing, the omnipresence of commercial fishing boats and water pollution. Interns there collect data to help protect these species in the long term.
Coral reef health monitoring programs are another way to protect marine life. RealStep also organises coral reef protection programs. One in the Seychelles and one in Australia where students or those taking a gap year can help collect data for coral reef research.
Marine conservation has seen some big wins. Humpback whale populations, for instance, have bounced back thanks to international protection measures. The California sea otter has also been on the path to recovery after nearly disappearing due to hunting. These success stories show that change is possible with the right action.
The challenges facing endangered marine animals are real, but conservation efforts offer hope. By joining programs like RealSteps', individuals can contribute directly to marine conservation and help protect our planet’s incredible underwater life.
The Mediterranean is the world's most overfished sea.
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By conserving water, reducing plastic usage, avoiding ocean-harming products, eating eco-friendly fish, etc.
NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a U.S. government agency dedicated to climate, weather-ready nation, healthy oceans and resilient coastal communities and economies.
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