Human activity is wreaking havoc on the state of the oceans around the world — especially on marine life, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's updated Red List of Threatened Species.
1:51Human activity is wreaking havoc on the state of the oceans around the world -- especially on marine life, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature's updated Red List of Threatened Species.
The degradation and loss of seagrasses in New Caledonia is the result of agricultural runoff, pollution from nickel mining and coastal development, and damage from boat anchors. Climate change also presents a threat throughout the dugongs’ wide range. About 44% of all abalone shellfish species -- 20 of 54 -- are at risk of extinction, the Red List states. Abalone species are sold as some of the world’s most expensive seafood and are especially vulnerable to poaching and unsustainable fishing practices.
The heat waves are also exacerbating disease, affecting the critically endangered black abalone in California and Mexico and the vulnerable green ormer -- another abolone species -- found from the English Channel to Northwest Africa and the Mediterranean. "Enforcing fishery quotas and anti-poaching measures is also critical. However, we need to halt the changes to ocean chemistry and temperature to preserve marine life including abalone species over the long term," Peters said.The status of the pillar coral, found throughout the Caribbean and as far north as Florida, has also deteriorated to critically endangered due to accumulated pressures, according to the list.
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