Protecting Marine Life

Animals that are put on the Endangered Species List must have a high risk of becoming extinct throughout the world, or in an area that they once highly populated. Even though there are still many species becoming extinct every year, large efforts are being made to reduce the number. When an animal is on the Endangered Species List it is protected under the Endangered Species Act. This act forbids anyone from killing, harming, or harassing any animals on the List. It also forbids anyone from harming, destroying, or sometimes entering the habitat in which they live.
An example of an endangered species in the United States is the Hawaiian Monk Seal. As you can tell by its name, it lives in the areas around the Hawaiian islands. This seal is a bit unique from other seals. The Hawaiian Monk Seal is known to live alone. Most other seals live in groups called "colonies". Today their number one predator is the shark, though human destruction of their habitats has also caused a large decline in their population. It is one of many marine animals on the Endangered Species List. It is believed that only about 1000-1200 of the seals still remain today. The Hawaiian Monk Seal, in particular, is also protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This is very similar to the Endangered Species Act, but it is aimed towards the protection of marine mammals in U.S. waters.
So you are probably wondering why I chose the Hawaiian Monk Seal as an example. In 2006, under the National Antiquities Act, George W. Bush designated a marine sanctuary around the Hawaiian and surrounding uninhabited islands. This sanctuary will be about 1400 miles long by 100 miles wide. It is the largest marine sanctuary ever created. It will help promote growth in the number of animals and coral reef along this area. In other words, the approximated 7000 different species living within this sanctuary will be protected from any harmful human actions. Excessive fishing in these areas has caused a lot of destruction to the habitat over the years. The marine sanctuary will allow some fishing in the protected areas by Hawaiian natives for a maximum of five more years. So, in 2011 no more fishing will be allowed in the marine sanctuary. Commercial fishing has been completely stopped. It will be restricted to such uses as scientific or education research and scuba diving. Nothing that could disturb or potentially harm this protected area is allowed. The marine habitat and wildlife population will be allowed to increase naturally without any human interference. The marine sanctuary is going to be put under the National Marine Sanctuary Act and will be managed by NOAA and the Fish and Wildlife Services.


Posted by: Christine McConville (1C)