Press
Release
DANGEROUS
INCREASE OF MARINE SPECIES IN DANGER OF EXTINCTION
The
global extinction crisis is worse than believed.
The
recently published 2000 IUCN RED LIST of endangered
species shows a significant decline of marine
fishes. Since the last assessment of the IUCN
Red List in 1996, the numbers of marine animals
listed as Critically Endangered have risen nearly
three-fold, with startling increases in the
numbers of marine reptiles and fishes.
Sharks
and Rays:
The
increase of fishes in the listings are largely
due to improved population assessments of sharks
and rays; the 1996 Red List included 32 species,
while the 2000 edition includes assessments
for 95 species, with increases from 7 to 19
species listed as Vulnerable and 7 to 17 as
Endangered.
While
the commercial catch of sharks and rays in Peru
itself is of minor importance it is nevertheless
the third largest in America. Sharks are species
with the same characteristics like whales and
dolphins: they are top predators of the food
chain with very slow rates of reproduction.
Therefore they are very sensitive to over fishing.
While just a handful of species are known to
sometimes attack humans, the majority of the
350 species is not dangerous to humans – some
are even vegetarians. Mundo Azul fears that
there might be also significant declines of
shark and ray populations in Peruvian waters.
“We need urgently a detailed monitoring of the
commercial and accidental catches of sharks
and rays in Peruvian waters, says Stefan Austermühle
Scientific Director of Mundo Azul, in order
to manage this fisheries in a sustainable way
and ensure their survival.”
Other
marine fishes
Other
marine fishes listed as endangered include:
seahorses, pipefish’s, groupers, wrasses, damselfishes,
and angelfishes.
In
Peru there are no existing data about the population
status of these fishes. Peru has only one species
of seahorses: The Pacific Seahorse (Hippocampus
ingens). Peruvian seahorses are dying as accidental
bycatch, in direct fisheries for aquariums,
in order to dry them and sell them or in order
to export them to Asian countries where they
are used as medicine. Another threat is the
destruction of their habitats. “The incidental
reports we have collected about the situation
of seahorses in Peru make us being very worried”,
states Stefan Austermühle. “The indications
we have show the possibility of a decline in
the population, but in order to verify this
information we need urgently research on the
population-status of the Pacific Seahorse in
Peru.” Nina Pardo says: “If we don’t start to
research about the population status and distribution
we might loose the seahorses before we even
know it.”
Marine
Turtles:
All
seven species of sea turtles have been classified
as threatened by IUCN. A major change this year
has been the reclassification of the leatherback
turtle to Critically Endangered. Populations
of this species have declined dramatically in
recent decades primarily as a result of incidental
capture in commercial fisheries and intense
exploitation of eggs on nesting beaches.
In
Peru law protects all four species of marine
turtles. The catch and consume of this species
is prohibited. Nevertheless Members of Mundo
Azul encountered illegally slaughtered marine
turtles in the beaches of the Peninsula Bayovar
and in San Andres / Paracas. “We know from many
reports of volunteers and concerned local fishermen
as well from visits in local ports, that turtle
meat continues to be sold in shops and restaurants
and that illegal hunting of marine turtles is
a widespread practice in Peru”, states Nina
Pardo, President of Mundo Azul. Mundo Azul recently
started and environmental education program
in order to raise awareness for the protection
of marine turtles. “Nevertheless the Peruvian
government and the local authorities have to
start enforcing the laws the put into force”,
demands Nina Pardo. “Otherwise the wonderful
laws we have in Peru continue being worthless
phrases on paper and the environmental engagement
of the government continues being a meaningless
propaganda while the species are vanishing.”
Marine
Mammals
Endangered
marine mammals on the Red List include many
species of whale
and
seals, all four species of manatees, northern
sea otter, southern
marine otter, as well as others.
In
Peru law protects all species of whales and
many species of dolphins. But even so illegal
hunting of dolphins for humane consumption continues
along the coast. “The Peruvian government and
the local authorities are in the duty to improve
enforcement of this laws strongly fight the
illegal hunting”, demands Nina Pardo, President
of Mundo Azul.
Recently
the Ministry of Fisheries suggested that Peru
should leave the International Whaling Commission.
Stefan Austermühle, scientific Director of Mundo
Azul, criticizes this idea: “Peru is not participating
for several years now in the reunions of the
International Whaling Commission. This way its
vote is lost for the Protection of the whales.
Instead of quitting the membership, Peru should
start to participate actively in the Commission
and vote for the protection of the whales. Peru
could play a significant role in the protection
of whales like for example Brazil which recently
inaugurated the first Whale sanctuary in Brazilian
waters.”
Further
information and photographs of dolphins, slaughtered
dolphins, marine turtles, slaughtered marine
turtles and seahorses are available at:
Stefan
Austermühle
Director of Projects and Scientific Research
of Mundo Azul
Phone/fax: 0051-1-446 0414
Cellular: 97 555 91
Email: mundoazul@interlatincorp.com
Web
site:
www.peru.com/mundoazul
|
