Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Practical 17- Study of endangered species and protection

Experiment No. 17
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Endangered species are species which are in danger of becoming extinct. Endangered species are Blue whale, Fin Whale –Baleen whales, Spermwhale, Bowhead whale,Dolphin Sharks, Sea turtleSeals, Sea lions, Waters Sea birds,Giant clamsSea snakes etc. Species need conservation in nature. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and survival service commission (SSC) have published two volume of animal that have in need for conservation “Red Data Book”
Categories of Species
• Endangered species (E) : Species which are in danger of becoming extinct
• Vulnerable species (V) : Species which likely move into the endangered
category, if present situation continues.
• Rare species (R): Species restricted to specific geographic location or thin by scattered distribution.
• Threatened (T): Species are small in numbers and their more survival is at
Whales and Dolphins were hunted almost to extinction and demand for consumer goods saw the 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 and the affects of those threats are now taking their long-term toll.
It is essential to prevent the further decline of fish germplasm. 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. Indian Fisheries Act 1897 (modified in 1956) along with the following measures would positively help in restoration of the threatened fish fauna.
Methods of conservation
• In- situ conservation
• Ex- situ conservation
In- situ conservation
It helps to maintain high genetic variability for introduction of improved varieties and to reduce problems of maintenance of brood stock in-site condition and transportation. In-situ conservation means "on-site conservation". It is the process of protecting an endangered plant or animal species in its natural habitat either by protecting or cleaning up the habitat itself or by defending the species from predators.
Ex-situ conservation
Ex-situ conservation means literally off-site conservation. It is the process of protecting an endangered species of plant or animal by removing part of the population from a threatened habitat and placing it in a new location, which may be a wild area or within the care of humans.
The two main pillars of ex- situ conservation programmes are (i) live gene bank and (ii) gamete / embryo Bank. In a live gene bank, the endangered species are reared in captivity, bred therein and genetically managed avoiding inbreeding depression, domestication and unintended selection. Use biomarkers such as Molecular genetics tools- PCR, chromosomes, Electrophoresis and DNA sequencing etc. used in the conservation of biological resources is gaining more importance today.
Main conservation projects for restoration of habitats are
• Marine parks
• Sanctuaries
• Protected areas
Marine parks
Marine Park is an area of the sea zone as a sanctuary for protection of its bio resources in coral reefs, mangroves, floods and other associated flora and fauna. The park was created 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea turtles prevalent in the area

• Protection of horse shoe crab
• Protection of marine turtles
• Protection of marine sharks
• Protection of marine mammals