two thirds of reef sharks and rays risk extinction (Adopt- a- topic: coral reefs)
Nearly two thirds of the sharks and rays that live among the world’s corals are threatened with extinction, according to new research published Tuesday, with a warning this could further imperil precious reefs.Coral reefs, which harbor at least a quarter of all marine animals and plants, are gravely menaced by an array of human threats, including overfishing, pollution and climate change. The authors found 59 percent of coral reef shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, an extinction risk almost double that of sharks and rays in general. Last year countries at a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species summit approved a plan to protect dozens of shark and ray species, adding 21 coral reef species in addition to the 18 species already covered by the regulations. “We know coral reef health is declining, largely due to climate change, however, coral reef sharks and rays can help keep reefs healthier for longer,” said Sherman.
Not only will millions of people that rely on coral reefs suffer, if food chains/webs collapse it will have a terrible effect on the entire world. We get 50% of our oxygen from the ocean due to photosynthesising organisms and the ocean regulates our climates, if food chains start collapsing it could affect everything that we benefit from the ocean.
4 thoughts on “two thirds of reef sharks and rays risk extinction (Adopt- a- topic: coral reefs)”
It is so sad to learn about the animals that are affected by ocean acidification. I hope that change will happen, but it is almost irreversible at this point, we really just need to reduce the amount of CO2 we allow into the ocean.
That is very saddening and quite shocking as well to learn that nearly 60% of all coral reef and ray shark are face with extinction! Coral reefs are not only aesthetically pleasing, but home to millions of varieties of fish and marine life. Is tourism also a big threat to coral reefs? I know that they have banned coral reef damaging sunscreens in Hawaii, for example.
This was a thoughtful response, good job! I agree that this is a major problem and we are at risk for the collapse of food webs/chains. What is one step we can take forward to fixing this problem?
It is very interesting to learn just how vital coral reefs and the ocean are for us as a society. How can we most effectively work to protect them, assuming people will continue to interact with them? Is it possible to develop a solution that would act as a shield for them?
It is so sad to learn about the animals that are affected by ocean acidification. I hope that change will happen, but it is almost irreversible at this point, we really just need to reduce the amount of CO2 we allow into the ocean.
That is very saddening and quite shocking as well to learn that nearly 60% of all coral reef and ray shark are face with extinction! Coral reefs are not only aesthetically pleasing, but home to millions of varieties of fish and marine life. Is tourism also a big threat to coral reefs? I know that they have banned coral reef damaging sunscreens in Hawaii, for example.
This was a thoughtful response, good job! I agree that this is a major problem and we are at risk for the collapse of food webs/chains. What is one step we can take forward to fixing this problem?
It is very interesting to learn just how vital coral reefs and the ocean are for us as a society. How can we most effectively work to protect them, assuming people will continue to interact with them? Is it possible to develop a solution that would act as a shield for them?