Ban wildlife 2

Protecting marine wildlife

Wildlife trafficking is decimating wildlife populations of critical species with spillover effects that disrupt entire ecological communities, and driving some species to extinction.

Illegal activities on the ocean include breaking fishing laws, poaching, ignoring marine protected areas, and polluting. Such actions contaminate or destroy delicate marine habitats—including coral reefs or sea turtle nesting beaches—and they deplete fish populations, upsetting the entire marine food chain. Countless species of marine animals die when accidentally caught in fishing gear; many of these animals are already victims of illegal harvest and trade.

Here are some examples of marine animals that suffer from illegal activities at sea:

  • Sea turtles
  • Sharks
  • Vaquita
  • Whales
  • Corals
  • Bluefin tuna

Wildlife trafficking is decimating wildlife populations of critical species with spillover effects that disrupt entire ecological communities, and driving some species to extinction.

Illicit wildlife trafficking is valued at billions of dollars a year. An important element of such trade has been the luxury market for products from the sea. This includes demand for pets, health products, and food. In East Asia, population growth and the burgeoning middle classes have led to rising demand for exotic and luxury products, as well as for greater production of protein. The supply chain for seafood products involves a complex web of middlemen that facilitate the entry of illegally caught and sourced seafood into the mainstream market. Challenges for illegal fishing include monitoring fishing activity at the source, creating more efficient tracking and enforcement mechanisms to prevent illegal fishing, increasing barriers to entry for illegal fish products into global markets, and influencing consumer demand through marketing and behavior change.