Threatened aquatic species

Nature

Aquatic animals, such as fish and amphibians, are continuously in contact with water. They cannot avoid pollutants in the water, which are taken up through the skin, gills and food.

Background

Many older sewage facilities cannot break down certain chemicals and hormones in pharmaceuticals, perfumes and other synthetic substances entering the wastewater stream. These can cause mutations in the reproductive cells, threatening some species of frogs and fish with extinction.

Incidence

The decline of threatened aquatic species is a global crisis, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing over 2,000 freshwater fish and more than 1,000 marine species as threatened with extinction. Habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, and climate change have led to dramatic population decreases in rivers, lakes, and oceans worldwide, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem stability on every continent.
In 2023, the Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) was declared extinct in the wild by the IUCN, following decades of habitat fragmentation and pollution in China’s Yangtze River, highlighting the acute vulnerability of aquatic species to human activities.

Claim

The crisis facing threatened aquatic species is an urgent and devastating problem that demands immediate global action. Our reckless pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction are pushing countless vital species to the brink of extinction. Ignoring this catastrophe not only destroys irreplaceable biodiversity but also jeopardizes the health of entire ecosystems and human livelihoods. We cannot afford to be complacent—protecting aquatic species is essential for the planet’s survival and our own future.

Counter-claim

Frankly, the concern over threatened aquatic species is vastly overblown. With so many pressing human issues—poverty, disease, and education—why should we prioritize fish or marine life? Nature has always adapted, and species come and go. Pouring resources into saving a few obscure aquatic creatures distracts from real, immediate problems facing humanity. Let’s focus on people first; the oceans and their inhabitants can take care of themselves, as they always have.