Sharks populations are declining worldwide. This is (somewhat) common knowledge. What i think escapes most people is how important sharks are to the marine ecosystem.

In all marine food chains where there are sharks, they are at the top. Now, you remove the shark, you’re cutting of the head. There would be nothing to regulate (except human overfishing, but that’s another matter for another post) fish which feed on phytoplankton down at the bottom off the food chain. This phytoplankton creates something like 70% of atmospheric oxygen through photosynthesis. 

It’s amazing how sharks, who managed to survive all 5 major extinction events in this planets history are now finally disappearing. Who needs asteroids and massive volcanic eruptions when we have ourselves? 

I generally don’t agree with what the Sea Shepherds do, they’re  bit too aggressive for me, but this ad is actually not bad.

I generally don’t agree with what the Sea Shepherds do, they’re  bit too aggressive for me, but this ad is actually not bad.

I said there would be more about Manatees, so here we go.

There were originally 4 species of Manatees, (from top to bottom, left to right) Amazonian, West African, Steller’s Sea Cow and West Indian. Steller’s Sea Cow was first discovered by a guy called Georg Wilhelm Steller 1741, and was quickly hunted to extinction within 30 years of discovery. Today, a Manatee population of about 3500 remains in the world, with all remaining species being classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. Why this extinction? Well, a large amount of animals die each year as a result of ship strikes, due to their slow-moving, curious nature. Another common cause are blooms of red algae, which periodically causes large amount to die; in 1996 15% of the population in Florida died due to this.

These are some amazingly intelligent creatures, and really do deserve all the attention they can get.

for follower No. 10, some Manatees.  There are three living species of manatees (African, Amazonian and west indian), and all are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. They’re incredibly intelligent animals, with memory skills at the same levels as dolphins. Each year, a strangely large number die due to collisions with boat propellers.  more on these later as well.

for follower No. 10, some Manatees. 

There are three living species of manatees (African, Amazonian and west indian), and all are classified as vulnerable by the IUCN. They’re incredibly intelligent animals, with memory skills at the same levels as dolphins. Each year, a strangely large number die due to collisions with boat propellers. 

more on these later as well.

also off the IUCN website, they have a really cool section called amazing species. Why wouldn’t you wanna save sea otters?

also off the IUCN website, they have a really cool section called amazing species. Why wouldn’t you wanna save sea otters?

well, would you?

its estimated that in 5-10 years there will be no more Bluefin Tuna left. Overfishing of the Bluefin Tuna are reaching critical levels, but a lot of people just don’t seem to realize.

The bluefin tuna is now listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, the international union for conservation of nature, which means that more than 80% of the current population could disappear within three generations, which puts them at a higher risk of disappearing than polar bears, rhinos and siberian tigers.

Great ad campaign.