Endangered Water Animals

Life on earth began about 3,500 million years ago. The first trace of life emerged in the sea-waters. Life evolves gradually, and the earliest vertebrates came to life about 500 million years ago. It evolved in the form of primitive fishes, and it is believed that all the fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals have evolved over a period from them.

Human activities have been largely responsible for the endangered marine-life. Extensive exploration of oceans has endangered water animals. Over fishing, polluted waters, and spilling of oil from oil explorations have threatened their existence. Here, we give some information on endangered water animals:

Florida Manatee: They live in the seawaters of Florida State, and only 3,200 manatees are believed to be alive. They are more often killed by sailing boats because manatees move slowly, and cannot be seen easily.

They have been endangered due to habitat loss, and have been severely affected by pesticides and herbicides. They have a very high rate of stillbirths, the reasons for which are still unknown.

Save the Manatee, an endangered animal's organization, founded in 1981 is trying to educate the public about the endangered manatees.

Hawaiian Monk Seal: This endangered water animal was reported to have become extinct, but 1,000 individual seals were found to be alive in 1988. Their number is endangered because their breeding area is under threat from human activities. Moreover, they are facing competition for food from the local fishermen.

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle: Only 500 of this endangered water animal are believed to be alive. Removal of eggs from the turtle-nests has been made illegal, but they often get caught in fishing-nets.

Oil explorations cause wastes, which harm the sea turtles. Moreover, consumption of garbage littered in the sea-waters has also threatened and endangered the existence of sea turtles.

Chinook salmon: They are also known as King Salmon. Constructions of dams have endangered their breeding grounds. Moreover, over fishing and polluted waters have added to the poor condition of this endangered water animal.

Humboldt Penguins: Their nesting grounds are widely hunted for collecting their guano, which is used as fertilizer. Moreover, over fishing of anchovies, has created a food shortage for them. Water pollution caused due to the petroleum wastes has also contributed to the declining numbers of Humboldt penguins.

Beluga Sturgeon: They are critically endangered since 2005. Beluga sturgeon, mainly found in Caspian and Black sea, are widely poached for Beluga caviar. It is very expensive, and has a premium price in the international market.

In the same way, blue whales, dolphins, penguins, humpback whales, sperm whales, leatherback turtles, Mako sharks, Great white sharks, salt-water crocodiles, etc. have been categorized as endangered water animals.

Conservation of endangered water animals

The Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), devised in 1972, provides special protection to marine mammals. It has completely restricted the importation of marine mammal products into United States. However, the Act was amended in 1994 to consider the cause of Alaskan natives, whose subsistence is entirely dependant on hunting of whales.

Therefore, it is important to save the endangered marine-life for maintaining the ocean ecology.