Climate Change Causes Shark Population to Decline –Tuna on the Rise

According to Research conducted by the World Conservation Congress in Marseille, 40% of the shark population is prone to extinction. Climate change is causing the shark population to dramatically decline whereas tuna is seeing a gradual comeback after being a victim of overfishing on a massive scale.

It has been estimated that 37% of the shark and ray species may go extinct in the coming years. This percentage is seen to be rising from 33% seven years ago according to data.

Some of the leading causes pointed out include overfishing, climate change and loss of natural habitat. The IUCN red list of endangered species also includes the Komodo dragon which is affected by rising sea levels and warmer temperature. The Komodo dragon is a native animal of Indonesia and is considered to be a member of the monitor lizard family.

But despite the rising sea temperatures and climate disasters, tuna fish levels are growing, mainly due to conservation efforts led by renowned wildlife conservation groups.

Reports released by the IUCN show how the Atlantic Bluefin tuna is no more considered as endangered and is now listen in the least concern group. However, there are a few subspecies of tuna which are at risk.

Bruno Oberle, director at IUCN said, “The tuna recovery demonstrates that if states and other actors take the right actions, it is possible to recover from the devastating impact of climate control.”

The organization also emphasized how the falling shark population could impact the ecosystem. It has been estimated that the melting ice caps and rising temperatures can push Emperor penguin colony population to extinction by almost 70% by the year 2050.