Being divers and ambassadors for the ocean, we’re able to regularly appreciate the beauty of the underwater world and its inhabitants. But what if one day all these incredible marine animals were to disappear? Unfortunately, this is the harsh reality that were now facing and it’s called extinction. Our marine animals are essential to the survival of our ecosystem and that’s why they need your help.

Here are 10 marine creatures that are surpsingly close to extinction:

1. Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: Warm temperate and tropical areas such as Costa Rica, Australia and Bahamas.

Major Threats: Commercial fishing, shark culling and shark fin trade.

How you can help:

best shark diving destinations malpelo

2. Hawksbill Sea Turtle

Conservation Status: Critically endangered.

Location: Throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans.

Major Threats: Pollution (mostly plastic), illegal wildlife trading and bycatch.

How you can help:

3. River Dolphins

Conservation Status: Vulnerable to critically endangered.

Location: Rivers including the Ganges, Indus, Yangtze, Mekong and Amazon.

Major Threats: Dam building, bycatch, boats and pollution.

How you can help:

amazon pink river dolphin

4. Mako Sharks

Conservation Status: Endangered

Location: Warm and temperate waters such as Australia, New Zealand and California.

Major Threats: Commercial fishing, bycatch and shark fin trade.

How you can help:

5. Galapagos Penguin

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: Galapagos Islands.

Major Threats: Pollution, bycatch and climate change.   

How you can help:

GalapagosPenguinRock_Shutterstock

6. Humphead Wrasse

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: From the East Coast of Africa and Egypt to the Indian and Pacific Ocean.

Major Threats: Over fishing (especially in Southeast Asia).

How you can help:

7. Hawaiian Monk Seal

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: Hawaii

Major Threats: Food limitation, habitat loss, bycatch & shark predators.  

How you can help:

monk seals in hawaii scuba diving

8. Giant Devil Ray

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: Mediterranean Sea and East Atlantic.

Major Threats: Pollution, bycatch and commercial fishing.

How you can help:

Giant Devil Ray

9. Whale Shark

Conservation Status: Endangered.

Location: Tropical oceans such as Australia, Asia, Mexico and Honduras.

Major Threats: Commercial fishing and pollution.

How you can help:

diving with whale sharks in the maldives

10. Short-Nosed Sea Snake

Conservation Status: Critically endangered.

Location: Northern and Western Australia.

Major Threats: Climate change, bycatch and low reproduction rates.

How you can help:


Want to help protect our marine animals from extinction? Learn more about how you can help make a difference with Project AWARE

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