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Comprised of interdependent animals and plants, our ecosystem has a complex way of life. The interaction between the many species that inhabit our Earth is extremely vital to the existence of our planet and humanity. The extinction of a single species may affect the whole biological system of life and of living things. Unfortunately, the acts of humans, such as the hunting, selling, and trade of animals, are causing many species to reach the brink of extinction. Some of these marine species include:
Blue Whale:
Located in the Gulf of California, Coral Triangle, and Southern Chile waters, Blue Whales are the largest and loudest animal on the planet. Its sound is louder than a jet engine and weighs about 200 tons. Its heart alone is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. Their low-frequency whistle can be heard from hundreds of miles away and is most likely used to attract other blue whales. Whales are on the top of our food chain and are important in the overall health of the marine environment. The study of whales has led to numerous discoveries and serve as inspiration in the development of new technologies such as watercraft sonar and wind turbine blades.
Fin Whale:
Located in the Gulf of California, Coral Triangle, and the Arctic Ocean, Fin Whales are the second largest animal on the planet weighing almost 80 tons. The Fin Whale gets its nickname of “razorback” due to a distinct ridge along their back behind its dorsal fin. It has an unusual feature of the lower left half of its jaw is white while the lower right half of its jaw is black. These whales are affected by historical hunting due to its valuable blubber, oil, and baleen.
Bluefin Tuna:
Usually found in the Coral Triangle, the Bluefin Tuna is the largest species of tuna. Bluefin Tuna are natural born predators who hunt by sight. Along with having the sharpest eyesight of any bony fish, they have a torpedo-shaped body which gives them the advantage of speed. The Bluefin Tuna is a highly-sought after delicacy for sushi in Asia, selling for $1.75 million for one fish! Because of their high prices, fisherman are using even more refined technology to catch these fish.
Hector’s Dolphin:
Weighing an average of 110 pounds, this dolphin is the smallest and rarest mammal in the world. These dolphins have a distinct black marking on their faces and have a dorsal fin shaped like a Mickey Mouse ear. About fifty-five of the near seven thousand left are a subspecies of Hector’s dolphin known as Maui dolphin.
Green Turtle:
Named after their greenish cartilage and flesh, Green Turtles are one of the largest sea turtles. These turtles are usually found in tropical and subtropical waters, such as the Mesoamerican reef, Coral Triangle, Coastal East African waters, the Galapagos, and the Gulf of California. These turtles are threatened by the overharvesting of their eggs, the hunting of adults, being caught by fishing gear, and the loss of beach nesting areas.
North Atlantic Right Whale:
The North American Right Whale only have about 300-350 individuals remaining and are found in the Atlantic Ocean usually on the coast, especially during breeding season. These whales are easily identified by white calluses on their head against their dark grey bodies.
Stellar Sea Lions:
Sea Lions are usually found in groups on the shores of the Galapagos Islands. These animals only move into the water to cool off or to feed. The sea lion is the most common mammal in the Galapagos. These mammals are vulnerable to the effects of climate change on ocean currents, which impacts their prey abundance.
Whale Shark:
The Whale Shark has been named the largest fish and shark in the world, weighing in at about 11 tons! These sea creatures are found roaming alone in the Mesoamerican reef, Coral Triangle, Coastal East African waters, and the Gulf of California. Feeding is easy for them due to their five-foot wide mouth. These fish are highly valued in international markets for their meat, fins, and oil.
Vaquita:
The Vaquita is the rarest marine mammal, having only thirty remaining. These mammals are usually caught and drown in gillnets. They are located in the Gulf of California and are distinctly marked with a ring around their eyes and dark patches from their mouths to their dorsal fin.