Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 12- Biodiversity and conservation

12.3.7. Conservation programmes for endangered species
Marine biodiversity is endangered by harmful human activities. Attention to this issue was paid in several United Nations conferences which started from the 1950’s. Many species of manatees, dolphins, turtles, sea-lions, sharks, whales, coral reefs, fishes etc are endangered. The total number of aquatic species which are threatened to become extinct is about 2251 (320 marine and 1931 inland water species). Different species of frogs and toads are also vulnerable to the contamination of the pollution of the sea; many types of diseases and infirmities have developed in frogs in recent years.
Endangered marine animal species
The world's oceans and the creatures that inhabit them are in trouble. Whales and Dolphins were hunted almost to extinction for consumer goods. Mass harvesting of many marine turtle, fish and seals for their skins, shells and oils, as well as their meat and other body parts.Whales, Porpoises, Fish, Turtles and Seals that are currently endangered and/or threatened with extinction. In the case of Whales, Fish and Turtles, direct hunting and killing for use of their body parts has been a threat for centuries.
It is essential to prevent the further decline of fish germplasm resources by devising all the possible measures of conservation and rehabilitation. The conservation policy should promote the management practices that maintain integrity of aquatic ecosystems, prevent endangerment and enhance recovery of the threatened species. Allen et al. have identified five principal elements or tasks in the recovery programmes such as (i) habitat management (ii) habitat development and maintenance, (iii) native fish stocking, (iv) non-native fish and sport-fishing and (v) research data management and monitoring. The irreparable harm caused to fish and habitats need be compensated through a forestation, eco-restoration, soil conservation, complete ban on deforestation particularly in the fragile mountains and strict implementation of Indian Fisheries Act 1897 (modified in 1956) along with the following measures would positively help in restoration of the threatened fish fauna.
Conserve critical habitats
Substantial loss of critical habitats such as mangroves, sea grass beds, estuaries, coral reefs due to coastal pollution, fishing, industrialization, urbanization, global warming etc. Government action is needed to put in to place coordinated action plan to restore degraded critical habitats.