Fish & Wildlife

Beluga Whales
Characterized by their unique creamy white color, belugas have an extensive vocal repertoire and have long been called the "sea canary" by seamen who heard their myriad sounds. Much smaller than many of their whale cousins, they are the only whales that can bend their necks for better maneuverability.

Cod & Haddock
Scientists estimate that the cod population in the rich fishing grounds of Georges Bank is now one-tenth of the level needed to support a healthy population for the long term, and just a fraction of historic abundance.

Gag Grouper
Prized by restaurant-goers and recreational anglers alike, the gag grouper is one of the most popular fish of the Florida Gulf coast. Unfortunately, this popularity, mixed with its proclivity for sex changes and a generous dose of poor fishery management, has resulted in a significant threat to gag grouper from overfishing.

Gray Whales
Frequently seen off the Pacific Coast of North America, gray whales delight spectators with their curious, playful, and friendly behaviors. However, researchers think that warming in the Arctic could be reducing the gray whale food supply. Less food for gray whales has lead to "skinny whales."

Hawaiian Monk Seals:
Sometimes called "living fossils," Hawaiian monk seals haven't changed in 15 million years. Named for their solitary behavior and the folds of skin on their neck—which resemble a monk's hood—monk seals are one of the most endangered marine animals in U.S. waters.

Manatees
Once mistaken for mermaids by lonely sailors, slow-moving manatees roam Florida's coastal waterways. So do ships and fast-moving recreational boats, which injure and kill dozens of these endangered animals each year. In fact, most manatees in Florida bear scars or deformities from being run over by boats and cut by boat propellers.

Red Snapper
Fishermen have pursued red snapper, one of the most important and well-known fish from the Gulf of Mexico, for more than 125 years. But the popularity of this Gulf staple has come at a high price. Over the years, poor management and unsustainable fishing practices dramatically depleted this once-abundant resource.

Right Whales
Perhaps 400 North Atlantic Right Whales: That's all that remains of a species pursued to the edge of extinction by whalers who dubbed them the "right" whales to hunt. Today, entanglement in fishing gear and strikes by fast moving ships cause most right whale deaths.

Sawfish
Like their cousins the sharks, sawfish grow slowly, mature late and bear few young. This makes them very vulnerable to overexploitation. With their tooth-studded snouts, sawfish often become entangled in fishing gear and die as unwanted “bycatch.” Scientists have concluded that this sawfish population has declined by as much as 99 percent and is in danger of extinction.

Sea Turtles
From leatherbacks to loggerheads, seven species of sea turtles swim the world's oceans—with the exception of the Australian flatback, all are listed as threatened or endangered. Sadly, they face many dangers as they travel the seas—like getting caught in fishing gear meant for other animals, the loss of nesting and feeding sites, directed hunting and pollution.

Sharks
Sharks have ruled the seas since long before the time of the dinosaurs. Often mislabeled as "man-eaters," these apex predators have been feared for centuries. Today, they face their first real threat—humans.