There have been thousands of marine species that have become extinct. Currently there are thousands of fish that are endangered and in dire need of protection protocols.
1. Arcadian Redfish:
The Arcadian Redfish are found in warm waters, such as the Atlantic and Indian Ocean. These fish can live to be 50 years old and are considered to be relatively harmless. The Arcadian Redfish is endangered and the reasons why are overfishing, ‘fish pirating’, and trawling. These fish started to decrease in population in the early 1900s because of their increased popularity in the food industry. After their introduction to the food industry, the Arcadian Redfish population has been decreasing ever since.
2. Bluefin Tuna:
The Bluefin tuna is one animal that is high on the endangered species list. This fish has been named one of the wonders of the ocean. The reason that they are considered to be one of the marvels of the deep-sea is because of their potential length and weight; they can grow to be 12 feet long and weigh over 1,500 pounds! Why are these fish disappearing at alarming rates? Well, they are at risk of extinction because they are being captured for their fins and for food. Over 75% of the Bluefin tuna is consumed in Japan and used to make a popular sushi. The Bluefin tuna is not sustainable seafood and because they are hunted so frequently, they are not able to reproduce fast enough to replenish their population.
3. European Eel:
The European Eel is found in the Baltic and the Mediterranean Sea and they have a unique metamorphosis process. According to IUCNRedList.org, the European Eel is one of the many threatened species that are not only endangered, but critically endangered. Their metamorphosis happens over a long time period and they are not able to reproduce as quickly to keep up with their rate of elimination. The European Eel is endangered and disappearing because of overfishing and parasitic disease.
4. Goliath Grouper:
There are two kinds of Goliath Grouper, the Atlantic and the Pacific Goliath Grouper. Out of the two the Atlantic Goliath Grouper is endangered. According to the Schmidt Ocean Institute, the Atlantic Goliath Grouper use to be abundant in the tropical and subtropical oceans but are now declining in numbers because of overfishing and hunting.
5. Whale Sharks:
The Whale shark is one of many endangered sharks out there. According to one source, sharks are revered as our last ‘living’ dinosaurs. They are known as the seas largest fish with the potential to grow over 60 feet long and weigh over 70,000 pounds. The Whale Shark also has the potential to live to be over 100 years old, but by being endangered, many marine experts wonder if some whale sharks will ever make it to be even half that age.
Although various petitions and treaties have been created, and signed, to help save the lives of endangered ocean life it is up to each individual to do their part to aid in saving marine animals in danger.
