Marine Life
The most threatened species in the Mediterranean Sea
Written by Scuba Turtles | 31 March 2023
Although the Mediterranean Sea acts as a rich ecosystem with about 7% of the world’s fish species and the world’s second-largest biodiversity, the number of threatened species continues to increase. According to Maritime Crimes, “More than 8% of Mediterranean fish species face threats”.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature have developed a list of endangered species. The Mediterranean Red List is managed by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. Nearly 700 scientists from across the region have contributed to the Mediterranean Red List of Species.
This Red List points that there are 14 species critically endangered. Let us show you some of them.
1. Sharks
Six shark species appear on the Red List, which makes them among the most threatened in the world. Every year, the region catches around 1.5 million tons of fish for international trade. These activities damage reef systems and reduce essential fish stocks. To protect the key role sharks play in the Mediterranean ecosystem, we need to take strong action, reduce commercial fishing, and protect their natural habitats.
The critically endangered list include: three different types of Angel Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Great Hammerhead and School shark. Read more on ocean conservation and shark protection in Greece here.
2. Rays
For rays, the biggest threat is also the fishing industry. Six species were red-listed between 2015 and 2020, and the population continues to decline. Two types of Eagle Rays (Common and Duckbill), Maltese Ray, Lusitanian Cownose Ray and two types of Guitarfish are now in the critical endangered category.
3. Sea Turtles
Over the past decade, sea turtles have been protected, and some have shifted from endangered to vulnerable. The Hawksbill turtle faces severe risk and belongs to the list of species in critical danger of extinction. A few of the biggest threats are tourism, aquaculture, and oil drilling.
If you wish to know how you could help protect this species in Greece, visit Archelon page. They need any help they can get.
4. Sturgeon
This species comes from earlier acipenseriform fish that first appeared in the early Jurassic period. This fact makes it especially sad to see four sturgeon species on the EC List: Ship Sturgeon, Stellate Sturgeon, Adriatic Sturgeon, and Russian Sturgeon. In addition to other threats, dams and other human-made changes disrupt their natural systems, and new diseases also put their survival at risk.
