Critically Endangered Marine Mammals - Environment Notes
Marine mammals are critical to the health of marine ecosystems. A healthy and diverse assemblage of plants and animals is required for strong ecosystems. Marine mammals control population growth and provide habitat for other underwater creatures. The category Critically Endangered corresponds to the greatest risk among threatened species. There are over 70 critically endangered animals and 60+ critically endangered plants in India. In this article, we will discuss Critically Endangered Marine Mammals which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation.
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About Marine Mammals
- Marine mammals are aquatic mammals that live in the ocean and other marine ecosystems. Seals, whales, manatees, sea otters, and polar bears are among them.
- They are a loosely knit bunch, united only by their reliance on marine environments for food and survival.
- The adaptation of marine mammals to an aquatic lifestyle varies greatly between species.
- Cetaceans and sirenians are both fully aquatic and thus obligate water dwellers.
- Seals and sea lions are semiaquatic, meaning they spend most of their time in the water but must return to land for important activities like mating, breeding, and moulting.
When is a Species Considered Critically Endangered?
- The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List categorises wild species as critically endangered.
- There are five quantitative criteria for determining whether a taxon is threatened.
- A taxon is considered critically endangered if the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of the following criteria:
- Populations have declined or will decline by more than 80% in the last ten years or three generations.
- The estimated extent of occurrence is less than 100 km2, or the estimated area of occupancy is less than 10 km2.
- The population is estimated to be less than 250 mature individuals, with a continued decline of at least 25% expected within three years.
- It is estimated that the population has fewer than 50 mature individuals.
- Quantitative analysis reveals that the likelihood of extinction in the wild is at least 50% within 10 years, or three generations.
Critically Endangered Marine Mammals
Freshwater / River dolphin
Freshwater/River Dolphin
- Habitat/Distribution - India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan, where it is divided into two subspecies, the Ganges river dolphin and the Indus river dolphin.
Ganges River Dolphin
Ganges River Dolphin
- Habitat/Distribution - Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal.
- The Ganges river dolphin has been designated as India's National Aquatic Animal.
Indus River Dolphin
- The Indus River in Pakistan and its tributaries the Beas and Sutlej.
Herbivorous Marine Mammals
- Dugongs and manatees live in swamps, rivers, estuaries, marine wetlands, and coastal marine waters.
Dugong
Dugong or Sea Cow
- (Dugong dugon) also known as sea cow.
- Status: vulnerable
- Threat: Hunting (meat and oil), habitat degradation, and fishing-related fatalities pose a threat.
Manatees
Manatees
- Habitat/Distribution - Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon Basin, and West Africa.
- Threat - Coastal development, red tide, and hunting pose a threat.
Egg-Laying Mammals
- Monotremes, a subgroup of mammals, are distinguished by the fact that they lay eggs rather than giving birth to their young.
- There are only five living Monotreme/egg-laying Mammal species: the duck-billed platypus and four species of spiny anteaters (also known as echidna).
- They are only found in Australia and New Guinea.
Echidnas
Echidnas
- Echidnas are also known as spiny ant eaters.
- Habitat and distribution: Australia and New Guinea.
- In echidnas, the egg is carried in a pouch on the female's belly until the young hatch, at which point the underdeveloped young must find a mammary gland and latch onto it for nourishment.
Platypus
Platypus
- Platypus is a semi-aquatic mammal.
- Habitat / Distribution - Endemic to eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
- The female platypus retreats to a burrow in the bank of a river or pond. The eggs are laid in a burrow lined with dry vegetation.
- The male platypus has venom potent enough to kill a small dog or cause excruciating pain in humans.
Conclusion
Loss of habitat, disease spread, pollution, and unsustainable fishing practises are all directly related to human actions, and recovery from these issues is rarely simple. Many marine species live in small, specialised habitats, while others require protection along vast migration routes that include breeding and feeding grounds. Marine protected areas (MPAs) have been designated in many locations around the world to help protect and restore threatened species, but MPAs are small in size and thus limited to the marine life that inhabits those areas.
FAQs
Question: What are critically endangered marine mammals?
Answer: Critically endangered marine mammals are species of marine mammals facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. They are at risk due to factors like habitat destruction, pollution, illegal hunting, and climate change. These species need urgent conservation measures to avoid extinction.
Question: Which are some examples of critically endangered marine mammals?
Answer: Some examples of critically endangered marine mammals include the Vaquita, a small porpoise found in the northern Gulf of California, and the North Atlantic right whale, which is primarily found off the eastern coast of North America. These species are on the brink of extinction.
Question: What are the major threats to critically endangered marine mammals?
Answer: Major threats include entanglement in fishing nets, habitat degradation due to coastal development, marine pollution, ship collisions, and climate change, which disrupts migration patterns and food availability. These threats significantly impact the survival rates of these species.
Question: How can conservation efforts help protect critically endangered marine mammals?
Answer: Conservation efforts include creating marine protected areas, enforcing fishing regulations to prevent bycatch, reducing pollution, and implementing rescue operations for stranded animals. Awareness programs and international collaborations are also key to ensuring the survival of these species.
Question: What role does international cooperation play in protecting critically endangered marine mammals?
Answer: International cooperation is vital as many critically endangered marine mammals migrate across national borders. Collaborative efforts, such as the International Whaling Commission and conventions like CITES, help to regulate hunting, prevent illegal trade, and promote global conservation efforts.
MCQs
1. Which of the following is a critically endangered marine mammal?
A) Blue whale
B) Vaquita
C) Bottlenose dolphin
D) Dugong
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
The Vaquita, a small porpoise found in the northern Gulf of California, is critically endangered with only around 10 individuals remaining, primarily due to entanglement in illegal fishing nets.
2. What is the primary cause of the decline in marine mammal populations?
A) Overfishing of marine species
B) Habitat destruction and pollution
C) Climate change
D) Illegal hunting
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
While all of the listed options contribute to the decline, habitat destruction and pollution (especially plastic and noise pollution) are among the most significant causes of marine mammal population decline, as they affect both their living environments and food sources.
3. What is the primary conservation strategy for protecting critically endangered marine mammals?
A) Banning all fishing activities
B) Creating marine protected areas
C) Limiting ship traffic in coastal regions
D) Relocating populations to safer areas
Answer: (B) See the Explanation
Creating marine protected areas (MPAs) is the most effective conservation strategy. MPAs provide safe environments for marine mammals to thrive, protecting their habitats from human activities like fishing, coastal development, and pollution.
4. What impact does ship traffic have on marine mammals?
A) It provides food for marine mammals
B) It causes habitat destruction
C) It leads to ship strikes and noise pollution
D) It promotes migration
Answer: (C) See the Explanation
Ship traffic contributes to ship strikes, which cause fatal injuries to marine mammals. Additionally, noise pollution from ships disrupts their communication, navigation, and hunting, impacting their survival and migration.
5. Which organization is most responsible for the conservation of endangered marine mammals?
A) International Whaling Commission (IWC)
B) World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
C) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
D) International Maritime Organization (IMO)
Answer: (A) See the Explanation
The International Whaling Commission (IWC) plays a key role in the conservation of endangered marine mammals, particularly whales, by regulating hunting practices and facilitating international cooperation for the protection of marine life.
GS Mains Questions and Model Answers
Q1: Discuss the impact of climate change on marine mammals and the steps being taken for their conservation.
Answer: Climate change significantly affects marine mammals, primarily by altering their habitats and food availability. Rising ocean temperatures and acidification impact the marine food chain, disrupting feeding patterns and migration routes. For example, the loss of sea ice affects species like the polar bear and the ringed seal, while changes in ocean currents disrupt feeding grounds for baleen whales. To mitigate these effects, global conservation efforts are focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, establishing marine protected areas, and monitoring the health of marine ecosystems. International cooperation, scientific research, and the enforcement of conservation laws are key in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Q2: What role do marine protected areas (MPAs) play in safeguarding endangered marine mammals, and how effective are they?
Answer: Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are crucial for the conservation of endangered marine mammals as they provide safe habitats free from fishing, boating, and industrial activities. By reducing human interference, MPAs allow species to thrive in their natural environments, promoting healthy breeding, feeding, and migration. MPAs have been proven effective in increasing population sizes of certain species, such as the grey whale in the Pacific Ocean. However, their success depends on proper management, enforcement, and adequate funding. Expanding MPAs and improving monitoring technologies will enhance their effectiveness in the long term.
Q3: Analyze the significance of international cooperation in the conservation of critically endangered marine mammals.
Answer: International cooperation is essential in protecting critically endangered marine mammals, as many species, such as the Vaquita and the North Atlantic right whale, migrate across international borders. Global treaties like CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and agreements under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) facilitate coordinated conservation efforts. These agreements help regulate hunting, prevent illegal trade, and set up cooperative rescue operations. Furthermore, collaboration in research and data sharing among nations strengthens the global response to threats faced by marine mammals, ensuring more effective conservation actions.
Previous Year Questions on Marine Mammals
1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020:
Question: Which of the following species is critically endangered due to entanglement in fishing nets?
A) Dugong
B) Vaquita
C) Sperm whale
D) Narwhal
Answer: (B)
The Vaquita is critically endangered, primarily due to entanglement in illegal gillnets used for fishing another endangered species, the totoaba. There are less than 10 individuals remaining in the wild.
2. UPSC CSE Mains 2018:
Question: What are the main conservation challenges for marine mammals, and how can international efforts address them?
Answer: The conservation challenges for marine mammals include habitat destruction, pollution, ship strikes, illegal hunting, and climate change. To address these challenges, international cooperation is essential for enforcing regulations on fishing, shipping, and hunting. The establishment of global marine protected areas and research collaborations between countries can ensure a collective effort in monitoring and protecting endangered marine species.
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