Caribbean Monk Seal Now Extinct

Posted by Dawn M. Smith Jun 10, 2008

It was a bit of a surprise to read that the Caribbean monk seal is just now being officially declared extinct by the National Marine Fisheries Service. After all, the last confirmed sighting of this species was back in the 60s, so most of us were already calling them extinct. But it is a good opportunity to highlight some other marine mammals that are heading in the same direction.

The list includes the Mediterranean monk seal, the Hawaiian monk seal, and the vaquita, a small porpoise found in the Sea of Cortez. All are endangered because of human activities.

Entanglement is a big problem. And while fishing gear leads the list, other marine debris is also a problem. Junk dumped from pleasure boats, freighters and even from land, entraps these curious creatures.

Then there’s just the simple presence of humans. All three marine mammals tend to be reclusive. The more we spend time near and on the water, the fewer places these animals have left where they can be undisturbed.

So what can we do to help?

The usual litany of conservation applies here- reduce, reuse, recycle means that less debris ends up in the oceans.

For those who are fish eaters, making informed choices and eating only seafood from sustainable fisheries will both decrease entanglement chances and help ensure food remains for the monk seals and vaquita.

Finally, support efforts to establish marine protected areas which will ensure critical habitat for the monk seals and the vaquita.