Introduction
A complex web of life is a system which ensures proper functioning of various ecosystems that exist in the environment. This web of life comprises of various components including interdependent flora and fauna that interact with each other in various ways. These interactions and existence of various species are crucial for the functioning of our planet which supports human life. However, several pressures being put on our ecosystem is driving various species of plants and animals towards the brink of extinction, affecting both the functioning of the ecosystem as well as causing various ecological issues overall to both humans and other species on our planet.
Image by ‘Umeed Mistry’
The IUCN Red list classifies both plants and animals under 5 categories which are CR – Critically Endangered, EN – Endangered , VU – Vulnerable, NT or LR/nt – Near Threatened, DD – Data Deficient , AND LC – Least Concern
What does being an Endangered species mean?
An endangered species is one that has a very small population and at greater risk of becoming extinct. On land there have been various animals that have entered the list of being critically endangered or endangered. The Orangutan, Black Rhinos, Amur Leopard and Giant Pandas are some of the most critically endangered species in the world. Many marine species including marine mammals, sea turtles and salmonids are also on the edge of extinction as climate change and overfishing become a major threat to their existence. Loss of habitats, the spread of disease, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices are few of the reasons for these species populations to decline.
Image by ‘Umeed Mistry’
The Endangered Species Act
In 1969, the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture, and Defense passed the Endangered Species Conservation Act to prevent mass extinctions of certain species. The use of endangered species by humans for food, fur, and other commercial uses was outlawed by this act and by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. In 1973 the Endangered Species Act defines endangered or threatened species, puts plants and invertebrates under protection, requires federal agencies to start programs to conserve important habitats, creates a wide umbrella of laws against hunting for endangered species, and matches contributions from individual states towards the project.
IUCN Red List of Marine Species
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hundreds of marine species across the world come under the categories of endangered and critically endangered species.
IUCN Red List of Threatened (Marine) Species 5,652 marine species are in serious trouble (as of 17/12/20)
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- CR – Critically Endangered (300 species)
- EN – Endangered (554 species)
- VU – Vulnerable (972 species)
- NT or LR/nt – Near Threatened (666 species)
- DD – Data Deficient (3160 species) (not including LC or LR/lc – Least Concern (11682 species)
Due to their vastness and depth, oceans have been viewed as an unlimited resource and have been overexploited by humans since a long period of time. This has led to a number of species populations declining and becoming endangered due to unsustainable activities by humans. There are various species from several marine species families that are endangered. These include species from families such as whales, dolphins, manatees, seabirds, sea turtles and sharks among several others. These species are under threat due to various activities such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, water pollution, boat accidents, and plastic pollution. These animals are crucial for the survival of the oceans and ecosystem and have their own intrinsic value. However, with very less protocols and laws in place for their protection these creatures are steadily declining.
Few of the endangered marine species include:
Due to their vastness and depth, oceans have been viewed as an unlimited resource and have been overexploited by humans since a long period of time. This has led to a number of species populations declining and becoming endangered due to unsustainable activities by humans. There are various species from several marine species families that are endangered. These include species from families such as whales, dolphins, manatees, seabirds, sea turtles and sharks among several others. These species are under threat due to various activities such as habitat destruction, overexploitation, water pollution, boat accidents, and plastic pollution. These animals are crucial for the survival of the oceans and ecosystem and have their own intrinsic value. However, with very less protocols and laws in place for their protection these creatures are steadily declining.
Few of the endangered marine species include:
1. Vaquita
The Vaquita is the world’s smallest and critically endangered cetacean*, found in shallow murky waters in Mexico. The vaquita is also the world’s rarest sea mammal and one of the most endangered animals in the world. With less than 30 individuals left in the world, this species is on the brink of extinction. Due to extensive use of gill nets for fishing in the Gulf of California, these animals have been a target of bycatch, causing their species to decline at a very fast rate of 15% every year.
2. The Hawksbill Turtle
The Hawksbill Turtle is found in the oceans of tropical regions of the world mostly near coral reefs. Their population has been estimated to have declined by 80% over the last century. It is the most endangered sea turtle species in the world, with an estimated global population of 8,000, with only 1,000 nesting females. These turtles have beautiful coloured shells which have unfortunately been one of the major reason causing their decline. Illegal capturing of these turtles for their meat and shells which are sold illegally to create jewellery and ornamental products which even till today are sold across the Caribbean, Asia and Central America. These turtles also feed primarily on coral reefs which are on a steady decline, adding more pressure to their already declining populations.
3. Blue Whale
Even though the blue whale is the largest living mammal on earth, the species are in danger. These whales play an important role in maintaining a healthy marine environment and are found migrating through both the poles in the oceans around the world. As of 2016, the IUCN has estimated their population to be around 10,000-25,000 individuals around the world. Their populations declined majorly due to hunting which although was banned in 1966 still continues for their meat and blubber. Threats such as vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement, habitat degradation, climate change and ocean noise is further putting pressure on their populations.
4. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Also known as the Atlantic Ridley sea turtle, this turtle species is the rarest and smallest sea turtle found in the world. They are mostly found in the Gulf of Mexico. These turtles have a very unique nesting habit where female turtles arrive on a single beach in large numbers to lay their eggs. Due to development and illegal poaching of turtle eggs, these beaches have become unfavourable as nesting sites causing their numbers to decline. Marine litter and plastic pollution, entanglement in nets and bycatch are causing decline in the populations of this species.
5. Hammerhead Shark
The great hammerhead is the largest of the nine identified species of this shark. It can grow up to 20 feet in length and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide, these sharks are often seen in mass summer migrations. Like other sharks, this species of shark is also being hunted for ‘shark fin’. Shark fin is consumed as a delicacy in shark fin soup in various Asian countries like China. These sharks are caught alive, their fins chopped and thrown back into the ocean to die. Commercial fishing and shark culling are also major causes of a few of the species of the hammerhead shark populations declining.
6. Fin Whale
After the Blue whale, the Fin whale is the second largest species of whale found in the world. It is found throughout the world’s oceans. Initially their major threat like the blue whales was being hunted for blubber and meat, however today, the biggest threat comes from vessel strikes, fishing gear entanglement and ocean noise. The population estimation for these species for the entire North Pacific is between 14,000 and 18,000 and in the southern hemisphere is around 82,000.
7. Hector’s dolphin
Hector’s dolphin is one of the world’s smallest dolphins and is found only in the coastal waters of New Zealand. Substantial declines in this species have been detected mainly as a result of bycatch in gillnets. According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Hector’s dolphin is about 7,000 mature individuals
Low population growth rates also contribute to the dolphins’ vulnerability.
8. The Hawaiian monk seal
The Hawaiian monk seal is one of the most endangered seal species in the world. Hawaiian monk seals are found in the Hawaiian archipelago which includes both the main and Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. These monk seals are endemic to these islands, occurring nowhere else in the world. The population is estimated to be around 1,400 seals, about 1,100 seals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and 300 seals in the main Hawaiian Islands. Habitat loss and food limitation due to climate change, shark predation and disease has caused their populations to decline. Human caused threats such as boat strikes, fishing gear entanglement, killing and other such human-seal interactions are a few of the threats faced by these seals.
9. Green Sea turtle
The green sea turtle is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle. They are unique among sea turtles in that they are herbivores, eating mostly seagrasses and algae. Green turtles are found throughout the world. This species of turtles was hunted for meat and fat as well as their eggs were collected for food, casuing their populations to decline drastically all over the world. Even though hunting of sea turtles is banned, even today these turtles are poached for their shells and meat which is sold in illegal wildlife trade markets. Along with illegal hunting, these turtle populations are declining due to threats such as bycatch in fishing gear, vessel strikes, loss of nesting habitat due to coastal development and climate change. Many other species of turtles such as hawksbill, leatherback, loggerhead and olive ridley turtles are classified as endangered species.
10. Irrawaddy dolphins
Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. No range-wide survey has been conducted for this vulnerable species; however, the worldwide population is estimated to be around 7,000 individuals. Irrawaddy dolphins are primarily threatened by bycatch, illegal capture for the captivity industry, pollution and habitat loss
* Cetacean, (order Cetacea), any member of an entirely aquatic group of mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins, and porpoises
Special thanks to Umeed Mistry, Reef Watch, and WCS-India for allowing us to use there wonderful images for this site
