The Ocean, our blue planet: protecting marine threatened species
Our planet's vast ocean, a vibrant blue expanse, faces unprecedented challenges, particularly regarding its most vulnerable inhabitants. A critical focus of conservation efforts revolves around protecting marine threatened species, whose global distribution reveals important patterns for targeted action.
Analysis of species occurrence richness indicates a significant concentration of threatened marine life in coastal and continental shelf areas. These biodiverse regions, especially prominent in the tropics and subtropics, as well as around island arcs and oceanic islands, are precisely where organizations like Endangered Species International (ESI) concentrate their vital marine conservation work.
Threatened species richness is notably higher in recognized marine biodiversity hotspots across the globe. These include, but are not limited to, the waters surrounding Australia, the expansive region from Southeast Asia to Japan (encompassing the critically important Coral Triangle), Southern Asia, Southeast Africa, the Red Sea, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the eastern U.S.A., the Central Pacific, and the Galápagos Islands.
Delving deeper into threat statuses, vulnerable species, which constitute a substantial 67% of all threatened marine species, exhibit particularly high richness in the Western Pacific and Indonesia (including the Coral Triangle), Southern Asia, the Red Sea, Southeast Africa, and the Galápagos.
Irrespective of their specific threat status, the majority of marine species inhabit coastal and continental shelf environments. Consequently, the areas with the highest overall richness of threatened species are consistently found in these crucial nearshore waters, with peak concentrations identified in Australia, Southeast Asia, the Coral Triangle, Japan, the Red Sea, and Southeast Africa.
Restoring and protecting essential marine habitats
Protecting individual species is only part of the solution; safeguarding their homes is equally crucial. ESI's work extends beyond individual species like the leatherback sea turtle or whale sharks to encompass the restoration and protection of declining and threatened marine habitats. This includes vital ecosystems such as coral reefs and seagrasses, which serve as nurseries, feeding grounds, and protective shelters for countless marine organisms.
Moreover, ESI is strongly engaged in addressing one of the most pervasive threats to our oceans: plastic pollution. We're committed to drastically reducing the amount of plastic entering the ocean and are a leading group pushing for a strong, effective, and mandatory global plastic treaty.
The health of our ocean directly impacts the health of our planet and all its inhabitants. Join us now in this fight to restore and protect our blue planet for generations to come.
Endangered Species International is a U.S.-based, international organization, and a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Your donations are tax deductible under U.S. laws.
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