Endangered Sea Animals

Life evolves gradually. Life on earth began about 3,500 million years ago. The first trace of life emerged in the sea-waters. About 500 million years ago, life 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 seas has led to the endangerment of sea animals. Over fishing, polluted waters, and oil-spill from oil explorations have threatened their existence. Here, we give some information on endangered sea animals:

Florida Manatee: They live in the sea waters 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.

An endangered animal's organization, Save the Manatee, was founded in 1981 to educate the public about the endangered manatees.

Hawaiian Monk Seal: This endangered sea animal was reported to have become extinct, but 1,000 individual Hawaiian Monk 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: This endangered sea animal is in the rare category. Only 500 of endangered Sea Turtles of this species are believed to be alive. Removal of eggs from the turtle-nests has been made illegal, but they often get caught in fishing-nets.

The wastes from oil explorations in the seas harm the sea turtles. Moreover, consumption of garbage littered in the sea-waters has also threatened and endangered the existence of sea turtles.

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.

Sperm Whale: They are endangered sea animals of the Antarctica. They have Octopus-like suckers, which attract other animals towards them.

In the same way, Blue Whales, Dolphins, leatherback Turtles, northern Right Whales, Humpback Whales, Atlantic Salmon, Mako sharks, Great white sharks, Mediterranean Monk Seal, salt-water crocodiles, etc. have been categorized as endangered sea animals.

Conservation of endangered sea 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.