Here is a list of 17 Endangered Species of the Ocean with a short explanation on the reasons why their population is at risk. The animals range from sharks to corals. From the smallest to the biggest ones too.
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1. Giant Clam
The name definitely represents its size as it could weigh around 200 kg and could measure up to 120 cm. Additionally, they are able to live for a very long time, approximately around 100 years.
Read more: Threats to Marine Habitats
The giant clam is one of the ocean species that needs to be protected because their population is decreasing. Reportedly, a lot of people look for this giant clam as an addition to their aquariums. Meanwhile other people consume the clams as their food.
2. Krill
They are also eaten by people in the Philippines, Russia and Japan. Moreover, pharmaceutical companies also need krill for various reasons.
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3. Coleacanth
Their approximate lifespan is around 60 years.The Coleacanth is a highly endangered species with only around 500 species left around the world. The biggest cause for their demise is accidental fishing by fishermen.
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4. Bluefin Tuna
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5. Beluga Sturgeon
The Beluga Sturgeon reaches the size of 1.5 or 3.2 metres. As for the weight, it can weigh up to 264 kg. The fish has an extremely long lifespan which is around 118 years.
Humans contribute to their depleting population because they want the meat and the female Beluga Sturgeon’s roe. The Beluga Sturgeon is very famous for their delicious caviar which could be very pricy.
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6. White Abalone
Declared as endangered species, the White Abalone is continuously fished for their delicious meat. Therefore its population is overfished and it takes a while to recover.
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7. Staghorn Coral
Unfortunately due to many factors, such as bleaching and rising temperature, it is reported that its population are decreased up to 98%. It takes a very long time, even years, for corals to recover.
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8. Elkhorn Coral
For this specific coral, its population are decreased by 95% and so they are seem as critically endangered.
Bleaching, disease, global warming, climate change, rising temperature of the ocean and human activities have been contributing to its dying population.
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9. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Currently, the population of the Leatherback Sea turtle is on the decline and they are declared as endangered. The reason for that is because humans take their eggs and nests for food. Some countries in the Southeast Asia sought after their eggs that are considered as rarity and special.
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10. Humphead Wrasse
They usually swim in a small or large group. The young ones are found in the shallow parts of water, near the coral reefs, while the adults swim in the deeper parts. A Humphead Wrasse measures up to 1 meter and weigh around 80 kg.
The population of the fish is rapidly declining due to overfishing and destroyed habitat. Excessive consumptions, by tourists and locals, as well as illegal fishing also cause the Humphead Wrasse to be endangered.
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11. Hawaiian Monk Seal
Read more: Ocean Animals
This seal is threatened by human activities and destroyed habitats. Humans hunt it for its skin. Moreover, it is often accidentally caught in nets. Disease also contributes to its shortcoming.
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12. Sawfish
Destruction of its habitat majorly contributes to its ill fate. This fish is also overly fished because of its fins and liver oil. Unfortunately, sometimes they die because they are accidentally caught in nets used by fishermen.
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13. Whale Shark
The most common cause for its death is accidental fishing. Sometimes boats crash into them. Due to its late maturity, it may take a while to recover its population number.
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14. Right Whale
Read more: Endangered Species of Whale
The Right Whale is endangered because of a lot of factors such as overhunting. This whale is desired for its oil. Migration can be the cause of its death. Sometimes ships accidentally strike them when they swim across oceans. Another reason is getting caught in nets or other fishing gears.
Read more: Facts of Blue Whale
15. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is often caught in nets and other fishing gears causing it to suffocate and die. Its population also keeps decreasing because it takes a very, very long time for the female to produce eggs. They can only produce around four and have to wait for 2 to 3 years to lay more.
See also: Conservation of Tortoise
16. Angel Shark
Read more: Effects of La Nina
This specific population continues to decrease because it is often fished by humans. It is used as baits to attract crabs and other animals in the sea. Reportedly, its population has been declared as critical and full protection of this species are in order.
17. La Plata Dolphin
Read more: Ways to Save the Dolphins
This dolphin has a worryingly decreasing number of population. A large amount of these dolphins die because they get caught in fishing nets. Their habitat is destroyed due to poisonous and toxic waste from industries. Other than that, they are also hunted as food by the killer whales.
Read more: Smallest Dolphins in the World
Climate change, disease and human activities continue to contribute to the decreasing numbers of these animals’ population. As of now, numerous conservations and laws are declared in order to protect them from ever going extinct.
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