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Water Creatures
Hawksbill Turtle
Status: Critically Endangered
The Hawksbill Turtle, known to be on Earth 100 million years ago, is famous for their narrow, pointed beak and colorful patterned shells. These turtles are found in oceanic habitats such as Mesoamerican Reef and Coral Triangle. They can weigh up to 150 pounds and have a length of 35 inches.
The biggest threat this turtle faces is illegal wildlife trade; these turtles have beautiful and unique patterns on their shells that are used to make jewelry and ornaments. They are also threatened by water pollution, egg collection, destruction of nesting and feeding habitats, and coastal development.
Why They Matter
The Hawksbill Turtle is vital to the health of coral reefs; they provide an easier way for fish to feed on the reef’s surface by removing prey from sponges. Local residents in the Coral Triangle also rely on these turtles to increase tourism value.
Facts
Threats
Indus River Dolphin
Status: Endangered
Facts
The Indus River Dolphin is a blind fish that is remote to Indus River in Pakistan, and the River Beas in Punjab, India. This fish relies on echolocation to navigate throughout the waters, to communicate with other dolphins, and hunt prey such as prawns, catfish, and carp.
Threats
Construction of Indus River Dolphin’s habitat is the main reason for this species’ population decrease. Dams and barrages were beginning to be built in the 1930s, splitting the population into smaller groups and degrading their habitat. Hunting, bycatching, and water pollution also threatens this species.
Why They Matter
The Indus River Dolphin is the state aquatic animal of Punjab; this species is a vital sign that the river water around Pakistanis is healthy.
Great White Shark
Status: Vulnerable
Facts
The Great White Shark, with its torpedo-shaped body used for cruising effortlessly in the water or swimming at dashing toward its prey at impressive speed, is the most well-known predator in the world. This fish is found in ocean habitats such as the Gulf of California and Southern Chile.
This species’ numbers are decreasing due impeccably to hunting for this fish’s teeth and fins. The shark has also been known to be tangles in meshes and commercial fisheries.
The shark is a vital organism in the marine food chain. They also stand as an indicator to ocean health and help remove weak and sick organisms in the ocean.
Threats
Why They Matter
Bigeye Tuna
Status: Vulnerable
Facts
The Bigeye Tuna are small dark metallic blue fish found in ocean habitats such as Coral Triangle and the Gulf of California. They are known to live for very long, about 15 years, and have unique physiology that allows them to swim in deeper, cooler waters and endure oxygen-poor waters.
Threats
The biggest threat these fish face is overfishing; in Asia, the Bigeye Tuna is prized for sashimi. Bluefish tuna, another tuna species, is decreasing, causing pressure on Bigeye Tuna.
Why They Matter
Other than being an important commercial fish for humans, these fish are top predators, maintaining balance in the ocean environment.
Pacific Salmon
Status: Critically Endangered
Facts
The Pacific Salmon are found in the Arctic with habitats in the Polar Regions. As eggs, they start out in fresh water, then when they are adults, they travel to the ocean to feed. Later, once they lay eggs, they will travel back to fresh water. They are known for their red scales and green head.
Threats
These fish face major threats such as illegal harvesting, or poaching, destruction of habitat from the building of mines and dams, overharvesting, and rapid climate change.
Why They Matter
Salmon are a vital food source for many organisms, including humans. They are also culturally and economically important to the world; the indigenous people celebrate the return of these fish to the waters by catching and storing them for the winter.
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