Our News

2008 IUCN Red List released

Amr is out and about in Europe for a few weeks fundraising, spreading the word about HEPCA and most recently attending the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. The Congress lasts from 5-14 October. More than 8,000 of the world’s leading decision makers in sustainable development: from governments, NGOs, business, the UN and academia come together in one place for 10 days: to debate, share, network, learn, commit, vote and decide. The objective: ideas, action and solutions for a diverse and sustainable world. One of the highlights of the Congress is the release of the annual IUCN Red List: the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. So what does the 2008 IUCN Red List have to say about the state of the world’s marine species? With oceans taking up some 70% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to a large percentage of the world’s biodiversity. However, a broad range of marine species are under increased risk of extinction and marine biodiversity is experiencing potentially irreversible loss due to a number of threats that include over-fishing, bycatch, climate change, invasive species and coastal development. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the global gold standard for recording the threat of extinction for marine species, and forms the foundation for the identification of marine conservation priorities worldwide. By 2008, approximately 3,000 marine species will have been assessed for the threat of extinction. Of these, almost 22% have been listed in threatened categories (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable). Sharks, Rays, and Chimaeras: Approximately 17% of sharks and their relatives are threatened, an additional 13% are considered Near Threatened, and a high proportion (47%) are Data Deficient. Reef-building Corals: 27% of the world’s 845 species of reef-building corals have been listed as threatened, an additional 20% are considered Near Threatened, and 17% are Data Deficient. Groupers: At least 12.4% of the world’s grouper species are now threatened, another 14% are Near Threatened, and 30% are considered to be Data Deficient. Marine Mammals: Marine mammals include whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, sea lions, walruses, sea otter, marine otter, manatees, dugong and the polar bear. 25% of these species are now threatened. Seabirds: Over 27% of the world’s seabirds are threatened. Marine Turtles: Six of the seven species of marine turtle are threatened. You can find out more at http://www.iucn.org