Coastal Aquaculture and Mariculture

Unit 8- Deep sea fisheries

8.2. Conservation of marine animals
Biodiversity loss is one of the world's most pressing crises. It has been estimated that the current species extinction rate is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it would naturally be. Many species are declining to critical population levels due to habitat destruction, climate change and anthropogenic activities. At the same time, there is also growing awareness of how biodiversity supports livelihoods, allows sustainable development and fosters co-operation between nations. This awareness about the biodiversity conservation is generated by the organizations such as World Conservation Union (earlier known as IUCN), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), International Whaling Commission etc.
India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries in the world. It contains 172 species of animal considered globally threatened by IUCN, or 2.9% of the world's total number of threatened species. In order to protect these animals, a National Policy for Wildlife Conservation was adopted in 1970 and the Wildlife Protection Act was enacted in 1972 which have a significant impact on the maintenance of biodiversity. After a careful study on the population and catch particulars, the marine animals such as the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), 9 species of sharks and rays, finfishes such as the giant grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), 17 species of seahorses and pipefishes, 24 species of molluscs and all species of seacucumbers, corals, seafans, turtles and marine mammals were enlisted under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 with a view to conserve them.