Threatened Species

Steelhead Trout from the California Coast-Put on threatened list in 2007-Habitat: mainly thrive in streams, and deep low-velocity pools-Threats: human-induced natural factors, that cause the death of these fish and keep them from their natural environments

Yelloweye Rockfish-Placed on threatened list in 2010-Habitat: Smaller rockfish tend to be more common in shallow waters in rocky reefs, kelp beds, and man-made structures such as piers and oil platforms. As they grow older, they move into deeper water and usually live at about 300 to 590 feet underwater. -Threats: overfished

Spotted Seal-Placed on threatened list in 2010-Habitat :Live in Arctic or Sub-Arctic waters. Found in areas of dense ice, and during breeding season are on the ice, while during summer, they can be found in the open waters.-Threats: Loss of ice in the area and getting caught in salmon nets are main threats. Morality rates due to fishing is very low.

Green Turtle (Endangered along Mexico and Florida’s coast)-Placed on threatened list in 1978-Habitat: Mainly thrive in three types of areas such as oceanic beaches (for nesting), convergence zones in the open ocean, and benthic feeding grounds in coastal areas. Adults lay their eggs on land, and once young become old enough, they go out back into the open waters.-Threats: long-term harvest of eggs and adults on nesting beaches and juveniles and adults on feeding grounds. Incidental capture in fishing gear, trawls, traps and pots. Also threatened, in some areas of the world, by a disease called fibropapillomatosis

Eastern Stellar Sea Lion-Placed on threatened list in 1978-Habitat: Prefer the colder temperate of the sub-arctic waters of the North Pacific Ocean. Haul outs and rookeries usually consist of beaches, ledges, rocky reefs. Occasionally, sea lions may also haul out on sea ice.-Threats: Boat strikes, contaminants/pollutants, habitat degradation, illegal hunting/shooting, offshore oil and gas exploration, direct and indirect interactions with fisheries, and subsistence harvests by natives in Alaska and Canada. Sea lions also get caught in fish nets and are harmed by other fishing gear.

Endangered Species

Beluga Whale• Classified as endangered in 2008• Habitat: Beluga whales live mostly in the Arctic Ocean but in the summer they

will migrate south. During the summer, they can be found along the coasts of Canada, Russia, Alaska, and Russia. Some have been found at the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada. They always stay in the northern hemisphere.

• Endangered due to lack of food, pollution, poaching, human activity that causes them to change their habitat, collisions with ships,

Blue Whale• Classified as endangered in 1970• Habitat: Blue whales have been known to inhabit every ocean but

according to Buzzle.com they tend to favor the Seas of Canada and the North Atlantic Ocean.

• Threats: Blue whales have no natural predators besides humans. According to World Wildlife News, whaling has killed 8,200 blue whales in the Pacific. Large ships on the ocean have posed a threat to blue whales for years as well

Atlantic Salmon• Classified as endangered in 2000• Habitat: According to the National Oceanic and Atmosphereic Association,

Atlantic Salmon reside most often between the coasts of North American and Greenland, but when they’re young, they stay in freshwater rivers.

• Threats: Atlantic Salmon are most often threatened by man-made dams and pollution. During the first half of the century, salmon were in danger due to fishing by people and their numbers are still recovering from that.

Killer Whale• Classified as endangered in 2005• Habitat: According to nationalgeographic.com, killer whales inhabit any

ocean though they tend to favor locations along the coast.• Threats: Killer whales suffer from a lack of food because fishermen tend to

catch the same fish that they eat, such as salmon. According to dolphin-world.com, fishermen pose an even bigger threat because their boats and nets have been known to injure killer whales. Killer whales have also been hunted because for their meat. Oil spills also can be lethal to whales.

Indus River Dolphin• Classified as endangered in 1991• Habitat: According to the NOAA’s Office of Protected Resources, Indus River

dolphins reside most often in fresh water areas of the Indus River in Pakistan.

• Threats: Indus River dolphins are endangered due to dangers of fishermen’s boats and nets. Construction on the Indus River has induced a dramatic change in their habitat. For example, construction has left some parts of the river too shallow for them. According to earthsendangered.com, they are also hunted for their meat, oil, and medicinal applications.