Brett Mecrones 10/27/17
ENV 104 Dr. H
Journal 4
In both cases the Hawaiian Monk Seals and Vaquita was very interesting to learn about.
They are both endangered and people are trying to find solutions why these species are
endangered? Hawaiian Monk Seals and Vaquita are both beautiful and special creatures to the
marine biome. The problem in both of these cases is that how do we save these species? What
can we do to prevent the Hawaiian Monk Seals and Vaquita to become endangered?
The Hawaiian Monk Seals are only found on the Hawaiian Islands. There are no more
then 1,300 individuals, this seal is one of the rarest mammals in the world. “The monk seal uses
isolated beaches for resting, molting, and rearing its young, and pups need to spend their first
six weeks onshore with their mothers”(EarthJustice). Their population is decreasing due to bad
habitats for the monk seals and climate change. “Rising sea levels from global warming spell
trouble for the highly endangered Hawaiian monk seal”(EarthJustice). The rising sea levels
causes the beaches to flood and wash out their habitat.
The Vaquita is also endangered like the Hawaiian Monk Seals. The Vaquita looks like a
dolphin but has a little bit of a different structure. “Vaquita, the world’s most rare marine
mammal, is on the edge of extinction”(WWF). Like the Hawaiian Monk Seals the Vaquita is
decreasing rapidly through the last couple years. Their habitat is the ocean and our found in the
Gulf of California. Fishermen’s are illegally catching the Vaquita because they have a totoaba
swim bladder, which one pound is worth four thousand dollars. These people who catches these
fish are selling and trading the totoaba swim bladder to other people. “It is this illegal trade that
is currently driving the precipitous decline in vaquita numbers”(WWF). Both the Vaquita and
Hawaiian Monk Seals are similar because they are both in endangered in the ocean and don’t
have a suitable habitat for themselves. Also their populations are decreasing dramatically. The
difference is that they both have different threats. Climate change like global warming is
affecting the Hawaiian Monk Seals and the Vaquita is becoming extinct due to illegal fishing.
The Hawaiian Monk Seals and Vaquita both need our help to save them to not become
extinct. We can help the Hawaiian Monk Seal by picking up marine debris on the beach. There
are many organizations that are trying to save these species. But the most important thing is
that climate change is happening and that’s a major problem, which Hawaiian Monk Seals are
being affected. We can save the Vaquita by spreading the word that Vaquita are struggling to
Survive. Also people can buy sustainable seafood, so they won’t be affected. Another thing we
can do is support the area and their habitat. An organization called WWF are working to ensure
they can live and thrive in their natural habitat. The Hawaiian Monk Seals and Vaquita are not
the only species endangered. Many other species are endangered and the greatest threat that
faces many species is the widespread destruction of habitat. Scientists tell us the best way to
protect endangered species is to protect the special places where they live. Wildlife must have
places to find food, shelter and raise their young. What can I do to help get the word out about
these and other endangered species is raise awareness and clean up debris that are in the way
with some of the species. I can raise awareness by spreading the word in the communities
about local threatened species. Also I can tell other people how species are endangered and
they are struggling to survived. Finally, I can volunteer my time to help clean debris from
species habitats that are being affected by debris.
Works Cited
WWF 2017
https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/vaquita
Earth Justice 2017 https://earthjustice.org/irreplaceable/hawaiian-monk-seal?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy9vpnKiP1wIVDgFpCh2f5wVQEAAYASAAEgJaTfD_BwE
