Photograph of a Blue Whale taken near Marisa, Sri Lanka by Andrew Sutton
Today, approximately 620 species of marine animals are designated as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s RED LIST. This means they are in danger of becoming extinct due to our actions. Sadly, marine species are often more vulnerable to threats such as climate change, pollution, habitat destruction and overexploitation.
Many populations of marine species are decreasing at unsustainable rates, and the number of species listed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered is rising exponentially. Our climate is changing at a rate that is unprecedented over decades of millennia. The current warming trend is significantly affecting the marine environment. Warming seawater temperatures, ocean acidification, sea level rise, and changes in currents, upwelling and weather patterns have all started to cause fundamental changes in the nature and character of our marine and coastal ecosystems.
GREAT HAMMERHEAD SHARK
Listed as an Endangered (EN) Species
WE NEED TO DO MORE TO PROTECT MARINE ANIMALS
WHALE SHARK
Listed as an Endangered (EN) Species
Fish populations are plummeting in almost every ocean due to overfishing and destructive fishing techniques. Seabirds, turtles and marine mammals suffer terrible deaths by irresponsible fishing practices. Commercial whaling has severely depleted whale populations, driving some species to the brink of extinction. Coral reefs have existed on our planet for over 50 million years, but in the last 20 years we have lost nearly 25% of ocean reefs. Ocean noise from shipping, industrial extraction, marine construction and military activities is negatively effecting whales and dolphins by reducing their ability to find food, mate, navigate, avoid predators and take care of their young.
The time to act is now. If we don’t change the way we do things - and fast - we are on track to cause irreversible damage to the oceans. Billions of people around the world will be fighting for their survival. THINK ABOUT IT.
Over 620 marine animals are currently fighting for their very existence, threatened with extinction because of our behaviors and activities.
VULNERABLE
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