Source: Flora-fauna.org
As we approach September 12th, World Dolphin Day, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect these captivating marine creatures. Dolphins, with their remarkable intelligence and grace, face an increasingly perilous existence due to threats like pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. This World Dolphin Day, let us take a closer look at the challenges confronting dolphins and how we can take action to ensure their survival.
UNDERSTANDING THE THREATS
Dolphins worldwide face threats stemming from human activities, including fishing bycatch, habitat disruption, and pollution. Construction projects and pollution, such as oil spills, harm their habitats and health. Noise pollution, due to boat traffic and underwater activities, affects their communication and food foraging. The climate crisis further endangers dolphins through rising sea temperatures, ocean acidification, and toxic algae blooms. Surprisingly, despite health risks associated with high mercury levels, some regions still hunt dolphins. Japan, for example, permits dolphin hunting despite mercury contamination. Mediterranean regions also saw historical dolphin hunting, impacting local populations. These multifaceted challenges require urgent conservation efforts.
CONSERVATION INITIATIVES
To ensure coexistence with dolphins, sustainable fishing methods and biodegradable nets are crucial. Establishing marine protection zones and effective fishery management is vital for threatened species. Scientific research aids in identifying dolphin habitats and causes of stranding events. The IUCN emphasizes large-scale, integrated approaches. Individuals can make a difference by choosing sustainable seafood, supporting responsible tourism, participating in beach cleanups, and backing marine protection organizations and legislation for dolphin conservation. Also, 'Project Dolphin' by PM Modi to conserve Gangetic river dolphins.
As we approach September 12th, World Dolphin Day, we are reminded of the urgent need to protect these captivating marine creatures. Dolphins, with their remarkable intelligence and grace, face an increasingly perilous existence due to threats like pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. This World Dolphin Day, let us take a closer look at the challenges confronting dolphins and how we can take action to ensure their survival.
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Dolphins need healthy ocean and sea to live
There are many ways that an individual can do to protect dolphins by reducing the ocean damages
These days seas are getting over polluted by the actions of human beings.
Ocean pollution occurs when chemicals and plastic is overly dumped in sea.
One of the finest contribution that individual can do is to avoid harmful chemicals and pollutants and dispose them in a proper way.
Humans can avoid items that exploit the marine environment .
Sound pollution also seems to disrupt dolphin behaviour and could be cause of death sometimes..
In general implementing Reduce , Reuse, Recycle diminishes water pollution which helps dolphins to lead a good life.
Individual can contribute by joining in coastal cleaning programmes and campaigns.
GLOBAL COOPERATION
Before knowing about the global cooperation It is necessary to know" why is it important to save dolphins"?
Aquatic life is an indicator of health of river ecosystem.
The best global cooperation is MMPA ( The marine mammal protection act) which is came up in 1972.
CITES is one of the largest organisation to conserve cetaceans including dolphins.
Responsibility of conserving dolphins does not completely depend on these organisations. Joining of individuals become a group and that leads to global cooperation. Join hands to conserve dolphins.
CONCLUSION
Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of dolphins and celebrate World Dolphin Day not just as an occasion of awareness but as a day of concrete action for their conservation.
REFERENCES
written by Kshama Jain & Maccha Yohitharam
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