Threatened marine animals

Nature

Threatened marine animals are species at risk of extinction due to human activities and environmental changes. This problem arises from overfishing, habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and illegal wildlife trade, which collectively endanger marine biodiversity. Iconic examples include sea turtles, sharks, whales, and certain coral species. The decline of these animals disrupts ocean ecosystems, affecting food webs and human livelihoods. Conservation efforts are critical to prevent further losses and maintain healthy marine environments. Addressing the threats facing marine animals is essential for preserving ocean health and the benefits it provides to people and the planet.

Background

The plight of threatened marine animals gained global attention in the mid-20th century as industrial fishing, pollution, and habitat destruction accelerated species declines. Landmark studies in the 1970s and 1980s, such as those documenting the collapse of whale and sea turtle populations, catalyzed international concern. Subsequent research and monitoring by organizations like the IUCN have revealed the widespread vulnerability of marine fauna, prompting ongoing reassessment of conservation priorities and international policy responses.

Incidence

Threatened marine animals face alarming declines across the globe, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing over 2,000 marine species as threatened or endangered. Populations of sharks, sea turtles, whales, and corals have plummeted due to overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution, affecting marine biodiversity in every ocean. The scale of this crisis is underscored by the rapid loss of keystone species, which disrupts entire marine ecosystems and threatens food security for millions.
In 2023, the vaquita porpoise population in the Gulf of California, Mexico, was estimated at fewer than 10 individuals, highlighting the species’ imminent extinction due to illegal gillnet fishing.

Claim

The rapid decline of threatened marine animals is an urgent crisis that demands immediate global action. These creatures are vital to ocean health and, by extension, human survival. Ignoring their plight accelerates ecosystem collapse, disrupts food chains, and threatens our own future. We cannot afford to be complacent—protecting threatened marine animals is not optional; it is a moral and ecological imperative that must be prioritized before it’s too late.

Counter-claim

The issue of threatened marine animals is vastly overblown and not an important problem at all. Oceans are vast, and species have always adapted or evolved in response to changes. Human concerns should focus on more pressing matters like economic growth and technological advancement, rather than worrying about a few fish or sea creatures. Nature will take its course, and the loss of some marine species will not significantly impact our daily lives.