Tuna Fish Escape Extinction: Growing Marine Life Pressures Threatens Revival
Tuna start bouncing back after being fished close to extinction. For the past ten years, a lot of conservation efforts have been made, and the numbers of these threatened species are finally starting to go upwards. The official tally of threatened species reports that the numbers are bouncing back.
However, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says that some tuna stocks are still in serious decline. The IUCN create the extinction Red List. The pressures on marine life are still ongoing. 138,374 species have been assessed in the past fifty years in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 38,543 have been threatened with extinction, and 902 have unfortunately become extinct.
Four out of ten sharks and rays are being threatened with extinction due to overfishing. Their numbers are plummeting since being assessed in 2014. A third of the species population was threatened, and now this has increased to 37 percent, climate change, pollution, and fishing for meat and fins all being reasons for this decline in numbers. 10 percent is due to climate change, a clear indicator that immediate action is required.
Whilst on land, the heaviest lizard on Earth, the Komodo dragon, is also closer to extinction. Climate change is causing the sea levels to rise, which affects the Komodo dragons’ habitats.
Although there is growing pressure on the world’s oceans, the tuna news is an excellent sign that species can recover with a commitment to sustainable operations. Biodiversity conservation is essential to preserve wildlife.
Tuna fish swim extremely long distances as they migrate and are the top predators. This means that they are crucial in keeping other populations healthy, being an important part of the food chain and food web in the oceans.
There is still concern over the yellowfin tuna in the Indian Ocean and bluefin tuna in the Atlantic. However, there are good signs for four out of seven tuna species. The Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) has moved from Endangered to Least Concern. The Southern bluefin tuna (Thunnus maccoyii) has gone from Critically Endangered to Endangered. The yellowfin tunas (Thunnus albacares) and the albacore (Thunnus alalunga) moved from Near Threatened to Least Concern.
Despite this good news, this is an important note to realize a lot more has to be done to protect the oceans and their biodiversity. Tuna is one of the most commercially valuable fish, being consumed by many all around the world. Fighting illegal fishing and creating strict fishing guidelines have allowed tuna to start recovering. Because of their massive migration, spanning thousands of kilometers, “coordinating their management globally is key” says Dr. Bruce B. Collette, Chair of the IUCN SSC Tuna and Billfish Specialist Group.
Climate change and unsustainable fishing practices are two big reasons for the decrease in diversity in our oceans and have led to species becoming extinct. Future efforts must continue to be made to ensure we keep our oceans healthy.
