World Aquatic Animal Day —

9 Endangered Ocean Species You Need To Know About

Vaquita:

This rare marine mammal is found exclusively in Mexico's Gulf of California and is on the brink of extinction because of widespread bycatch and unregulated fishing.

North Atlantic Right Whale:

With fewer than 340 remaining, these whales are under extreme threat from ship collisions and entanglement in fishing nets.

Yangtze Finless Porpoise:

Found in China's Yangtze River, this freshwater cetacean is declining quickly because of pollution, boat traffic, and bycatch.

Hawaiian Monk Seal:

This earless seal, occurring in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, is critically endangered by plastic pollution, marine debris, and historic hunting.

Hawksbill & Kemp's Ridley Turtles:

These critically endangered sea turtles are threatened by habitat loss, poaching, marine pollution, and climate change.

Giant Manta Ray:

Occurring in tropical oceans, these rays are declining owing to overfishing for their gill plates and their slow reproduction.

Whale Shark:

The largest fish in the world, predominantly inhabiting tropical oceans, is threatened by overfishing, ship strikes, and plastic waste.

Northern Fur Seal:

Found from Japan to California, these seals are threatened by commercial fishing, bycatch, and climate change despite previous conservation efforts.

Dugong:

Found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, these friendly 'sea cows' are threatened with habitat loss, coastal development, and pollution.