SDG 14 "Life Below Water"

SDG 14 “Life Below Water”. Conserve and sustainably BELOW WATER use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

What is SDG 14?. Sustainable Development Goal 14 is about "Life below water" and is one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015. The official wording is to "Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development“ Healthy oceans and seas are essential to our existence. They cover 70 percent of our planet and we rely on them for food, energy and water. Yet, we have managed to do tremendous damage to these precious resources. We must protect them by eliminating pollution and overfishing and immediately start to responsibly manage and protect all marine life around the world..

Endangered Ocean Species and Marine Animals According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), hundreds of marine species across the world come under the categories of endangered and critically endangered species . 1 . Hawksbill Turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricate) 2 . Vaquita ( Phoeocna sinus) 3 . Blue Whale ( Balaenopteramusculus ) 4 . Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ) 5 . Steller Sea Lion ( Eumetopiasjubatus ) 6 . Hammerhead Shark ( Sphyrna mokarran ) 7 . Fin whale ( Balaenopteraphysalus ) 8 . Hector’s Dolphin ( Cephalorhynchushectori ) 9 . Hawaiian Monk Seal ( Monachusschauinslandi ) 10 . Green sea turtle ( Cheloniamydas ).

Hawksbill Turtle ( Eretmochelys imbricate) Found in the tropical regions of all the world’s oceans, gulfs and seas- mostly in coral reefs, the Hawksbill Turtle’s population has been estimated to have declined by 80% over the last century . Steller Sea Lion ( Eumetopiasjubatus ) This eared seal could be located in the cold coastal waters of the North Pacific..

Fin whale ( Balaenopteraphysalus ) Fin whale is the second-largest mammal on the planet after Blue Whale. With a maximum length of 25.9 meters, the Fin Whale has an estimated weight of about 114 tonnes . Fin Whale is also a victim of hunting for a long period of time. Currently, around 2,500 Humpback Whale is believed to surviving in the world . Hawaiian Monk Seal ( Monachusschauinslandi ) Hawaiian Monk Seal is one of the earless seals who live in the warm beaches, unlike other seals . According to the recent research, there are only around 1,400 Hawaiian Monk Seal remaining on the Islands now. The existence of these seals is threatened by commercial hunting for meat, oil and skin ..

Hammerhead Shark ( Sphyrna mokarran ) Traced in the tropical regions of the oceans around the world, These migratory sharks are subjected to being victimized for its fin. Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtle ( Lepidochelys kempii ) The Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle, also known as the Atlantic Ridley sea turtle, is a rarest and smallest sea turtle and is endangered to a severe degree . Unfortunately, the conditions such as loss of habitat, marine pollution and entanglement in fishing nets etc. have resulted in the huge decline of the population of the Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle..

How Can We Protect/Save Them Educate Yourself & Others Travel the Ocean Responsibly Reduce Your Carbon Footprint Make Sustainable Diet Choices Make Sustainable Seafood Choices Help Clean the Beaches Make Sustainable Purchases Be an Ocean-Friendly Pet Owner Connect to Marine Animals Responsibly Volunteer to Protect Marine Animals.