Hobbies And Interests
Marine Turtles
There are seven species of marine turtle, and six of them live in or near coral reefs. Turtles play an integral part in maintaining the health of coral ecosystems, which in turn helps other species such as lobster and shrimp to thrive. Six species of marine turtle are endangered, and three are critically endangered, according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Dugong
The dugong is an endangered marine animal that lives primarily on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. The Reef Research Centre notes on its website that dugongs have more in common with elephants than with dolphins and whales. Dugongs only breed every 2.5 to 5 years and have one calf during each gestation period. Protection areas have been established for the animals in the Great Barrier Reef region. However, the survival of the species depends largely on the survival of the coral reefs.
Hawaiian Monk Seal
With fewer than 1,200 living in the wild, the Hawaiian monk seal is a critically endangered animal. The Marine Conversation Biology Institute notes that coral reefs are a main source of food for the seals, so preserving the coral is key in saving the world's only tropical seal. The seals find a variety of food in the reefs including lobsters, flatfish and reef fish. Hawaiian monk seals are solitary creatures with a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. They can grow to seven feet and 400 pounds.
Prevention
The World Wildlife Fund explains that the main threats to coral reefs include overfishing, pollution and climate change. As ocean waters become warmer, the coral can lose its oxygen supply. This results in a phenomenon known as bleaching. When coral bleaches, it can result in death for a reef. When a reef dies, the species that live there are in danger. Efforts to preserve creatures that live in or near coral reefs include protecting animal nursing grounds and stopping activities such as coral mining and dumping pollutants into the ocean.