22/04/2023
For Earth Day 2023, we put the spotlight on 5 threatened fish species –the granulated guitarfish, dwarf sawfish, longcomb sawfish, smalltooth sawfish and the common sawfish, all declared as Critically Endangered in 2022 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This Red List status means they are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As apex predators and mesopredators, respectively, sawfish and guitarfish play a critical role in maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, and their decline can have cascading effects on other species and the marine environment as a whole.
One of the main reasons that threatens a species to extinction is the destruction or loss of their habitat. A healthy wildlife depends on healthy habitats. For the longest time, human activities such as trawling –a fishing technique that involves dragging massive heavy nets along the seafloor, and other destructive fishing methods – have been causing terrible physical damage to ocean habitats. Furthermore, numerous studies have demonstrated how climate change is causing significant alterations to crucial habitat elements that are essential for the survival of wildlife and endangering natural resources.
The restoration of fish populations is of utmost importance for the well-being of our oceans. We must act now to protect and conserve these [critically] endangered fish species through measures such as reducing bycatch, improving fisheries management, and protecting critical habitats. Every day is Earth Day and now is the time to take action! Despite the challenges, delisting threatened species is within reach if we work together!
Small individual efforts combined can make a significant impact. Here are some practical ways we can ‘invest’ in our planet and make a difference, from earthday.org: bit.ly/EarthDay_Tips.