Get your bucket list snorkeling expeditions in now, because before you know it, the oceans will be nothing like what they once were. As marine life deals with the effects of plastic pollution and climate change, a huge number of species are feeling the burn. From coral reefs to river dolphins, these 20 marine species have their days numbered.
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1. River Dolphin
There are six species of river dolphins in the world, and sadly all are considered endangered or critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Water pollution and fishing gear that traps dolphins are two of their biggest threats.
Image Credit: Michel VIARD/istockphoto.
2. Whale Shark
As the biggest fish in the world, whale sharks shouldn’t be hard to miss; but their population has declined so much that they are on their way to extinction. You can thank climate change, fisheries, tourism, strikes by vessels, and finning, where the creature’s fins are sliced off.
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3. Hawksbill Sea Turtle
These beautiful turtles are in danger not only because their habitat is disappearing, but because of illegal trade. They continue to be killed in record numbers for their brown and yellow plates, which are made into tortoise shell jewelry and ornaments.
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4. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Getting caught in fishing nets is just one of the major threats to the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. Loss of habitat due to development for humans is also leading to their demise.
Image Credit: Andre Johnson/istockphoto.
5. Sea Otter
Climate change is just one of the many reasons these adorable creatures are slowly becoming extinct. Oil spills, contaminated water, and a lack of food sources are to blame.
Image Credit: RobsonAbbott/istockphoto.
6. Steller Sea Lion
Human behavior that leads to climate change is also killing off the Steller Sea Lion. Fisheries take away from the food available to these animals. Rising sea temperatures are also leading to a population decline.
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7. Gray Whale
The beautiful Gray Whale has been extinct from the Atlantic Ocean since the 1700’s, but there are still estimated to be around 20,000 of these creatures swimming the Pacific Ocean. Nonetheless, their extinction could be imminent decades from now. Ship strikes and fishing net entanglement are partly to blame.
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8. Florida Manatee
The Florida Manatee was first listed as endangered back in 1973, and the species continues to be threatened by humans and climate change. Water temperature fluctuations are killing the creatures off, as are boats, which are said to cause 20% of Manatee deaths.
Image Credit: THIERRY EIDENWEIL/istockphoto.
9. Coral Reef
You’re more likely to survive the next 20 years than 70% to 90% of all coral reefs. Almost all coral reefs in the world will be gone by 2100, according to research by the University of Hawaii.
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10. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle
Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles are the smallest sea turtles in the world, and their population is shrinking. Getting caught in fishing nets is one of their biggest threats, and sadly it’s leading to their demise.
Image Credit: Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles Approaching the Beach, Tamaulipas, Mexico by Hrchenge/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).
11. Krill
These tiny shrimp-like crustaceans are an important part of the marine ecosystem food chain. Unfortunately, it’s predicted that by the end of the century, there will be barely half as many krill as there once were.
Image Credit: pilipenkoD/istockphoto.
12. Hawaiian Monk Seal
As one of the most endangered seal species in the world, these creatures have been slowly vanishing for decades. Again, thank the fishing industry, human intervention, and polluted waters for their decline.
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13. Atlantic Halibut
The Atlantic Halibut is on the endangered list because of overfishing, according to Greenpeace. Yet at the same time, fish is still a popular menu item. How can that be? In the United States, limited harvesting of wild-caught Atlantic Halibut continues to be allowed.
Image Credit: Atlantic Halibut by Cephas/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).
14. Beluga Sturgeon
Since they’re a popular source for caviar, the Beluga Sturgeon has been heavily fished for the last century to near extinction.The entire population of Beluga Sturgeons is said to have declined somewhere between 70% to 90%.
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15. Philippine Crocodile
The Philippine Crocodile is one of the most endangered crocodiles in the world. Current surveys estimate that there are somewhere between 92 and 137 adults left in the wild, though there are efforts to breed the creatures in captivity to grow the population.
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16. Burmese Roofed Turtle
Just a few years ago, there were only 10 Burmese Roofed Turtle adults left in the world. But in the last few years, scientists have been rebuilding the population to reach the thousands. Still, the turtle with a smiling expression isn’t in the clear from extinction just yet.
Image Credit: Burmese Roofed Turtles in Singapore Zoo by Ka-nowledge/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).
17. Nassau Grouper
The Nassau Grouper is another victim of overfishing, with its population declining by 60% over the last few decades. There is somewhere around 10,000 of the fish left, but the population continues to decline.
Image Credit: johnanderson/depositphotos.
18. Bluefin Tuna
While it’s illegal to fish for the Atlantic Bluefin, it’s also very hard to enforce it. The rare tuna is highly sought after for sushi, and is now in serious decline.
Image Credit: LUNAMARINA/istockphoto.
19. Winter Skate
Though the Winter Skate isn’t typically eaten by humans, it’s often used in fishmeal and bait. It’s on the endangered list because it’s frequently caught in nets with other fish, which has led to a rapid decline of the population.
Image Credit: Winter Skate by LeGresley/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA).
20. Hammerhead Shark
Hammerhead Sharks have been considered critically endangered since 2006 by the IUCN. Hammerheads are sought after for their fins, which are often used for shark fin soup. Millions of these creatures are sold in the Hong Kong fin market every year, significantly lowering the population.
Image Credit: Carlos Grillo/istockphoto.
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