Map by Jenny Nishimwe (2029)

Vaquita

jnishimwe59_2 — 2024-09-27 17:56:46 UTC

The rarest marine animal is the vaquita. The vaquita, a porpoise discovered in 1958, is the rarest marine mammal. It is critically endangered and often drowns in gillnets, which are frequently used in illegal fishing in its habitat. Unfortunately, there is an estimate of 6-8 vaquitas left.

A fishing operation called Totoaba, tries to catch endangered species. Which vaquitas are one of them. Which is in high demand in China despite the trade ban and shrimp sold in the U.S.

They are usually located in the shallow waters near the coast in Mexico’s Gulf of California. They are also exposed to boats but swim quickly away. Vaquita are not as big as all really, they are 65-120 pounds and five feet long.

Hawaiian Islands

jnishimwe59_2 — 2024-10-08 17:25:58 UTC

Hawaiian Monk Seal was discovered in 1905 around the mid-Pacific coral atolls. Throughout the years Hawaiian Monk seals have been endangered because, Monk seals are facing fisheries interactions, intentional harm by humans, and they are catching a disease called Toxoplasmosis.

The monk seals consume contamintated water or prey. Toxopolasmosis is a leading cause of Hawaiian Monk seals mortality. There are only two monk seal species that remain in the world's oceans. Therefore, there are only about 1,500 monk seals individuals that remain.

The Hawaiian Monk seals are only found in the Hawaiian archipelago. Hawaiian monk seals are about the weight of 490 lbs. They are NOT extinct. The people of Hawaii hope to keep it like that.

North Atlantic Right Whale

jnishimwe59_2 — 2024-10-10 00:03:38 UTC

The North Atlantic Right Whale is also endangered and rare. It is the most endangered whale worldwide. These baleen whales feed on crustaceans, but their prey availability has become threatened. In addition, they have reached near extinction due to hunting. They also get tangled in fishing nets, hit by fishing vessels, and experience stress due to ocean noise that disrupts their communication. Approximately 360 whales, with 70 females who reproduce regularly, remain.

Pygmy Seahorse

jnishimwe59_2 — 2024-10-10 00:20:11 UTC

Pygmy seahorses were discovered in 1970, after a piece of pygmy was accidentally collected into gorgonian coral where Georges Bargibant founded the species. Pygmy is not rare because of its population or extinction. Pygmy is rare because how tiny the species is(0.55 to 1.06 inches). This one way that helps pygmy seahorses to camouflage. Another way pygmy seahorses camouflage is by their color changing skin. Their skin color will only change depending on the environment/ area they are in.

But pygmy does also face some problems in the ocean. Pygmy are so tiny that it is easy for them to get lost and lose the habit they are in, the reason that is happening is the rising sea levels. They also face rising ocean temperatures, that threaten these species.

Pygmy Seahorse is usually located in the Coral Triangle, Indonesia where the pygmy is mainly surfaced but you also see some around Papua New Guinea, Solomon islands and Fiji.

FUN FACT: Pygmy seahorses ONLY change four color and they are Pink, Purple, Yellow, and Orange.