Researchers at Simon Fraser University, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Old Dominion University are using marine animals from the movie Finding Nemo to raise concerns regarding charismatic species which may be at risk for extinction despite their popularity. The authors also found vast differences in the amount of data available among the different species, making it difficult to evaluate the status of some.
They suggest that comprehensive multispecies conservation programs may be needed to protect the ocean environment’s biodiversity. They further recommend that species heavily impacted by fishing and bycatch need binding legal protection at the international level.
Lack of Information Makes Saving Nemo Difficult
According to the study, a significant number of the more than 1,500 marine species from 16 families seen in the movie are listed as Data Deficient under IUCN guidelines. Without sufficient knowledge of numbers, habitat needs, range and diet, it isn’t possible to determine whether a species is under threat of extinction. Some 66% of seahorse species (Syngnathidae) and 31% of elasmobranchs (skates, rays and sharks) are classed as data deficient. Within the elasmobranchs, 47% of eagle rays (Muliobatidae) are listed as data deficient.
The group then looked at the number of conservation relevant science papers available regarding each species. Marine turtles are the subject of nearly 6,000 such papers while sharks and rays average less than 10 papers per species and invertebrates are the least studied at 0.1 papers per species. This makes it difficult to determine what measures are needed to prevent their extinction.
The Global Marine Species Assessment (GMSA), a cooperative project of the Species Survival Commission of the IUCN and Conservation International’s Center for Applied Biodiversity Science, is attempting to do Red List assessments of about 20,000 marine species to remedy this situation. In the meantime these species, which may be threatened or endangered, are left unprotected.
Protection Lacking on International Level
The study also found that exploitation is the greatest threat to survival for many marine species portrayed in Finding Nemo. Sharks and rays are heavily impacted by intentional fishing and as bycatch, yet few are listed as threatened or endangered.
Climate change and habitat loss or degradation also factor in. Migratory species that utilize the land, such as birds and sea turtles, face threats from habitat destruction and degradation of their terrestrial territory. Yet there is no concerted international effort to protect these species throughout their entire range. Breeding or nesting areas may have protection but feeding grounds may not.
Charisma is Not Enough to Ensure Species Survival
In spite of its obvious conservation message, the popularity of Finding Nemo actually resulted in increased sales of clownfish. It’s likely that very few of those people were conservation aware enough to purchase only tank-bred fish, thus avoiding putting further pressure on this declining marine species.
For other marine species, sharks and sea turtles for example, their popularity with the public is helping to raise awareness of their predicament and some progress has been made in reducing losses. Without global cooperation, however, most marine species can't be considered safe from extinction.
Resources:
McClenachan, L., Cooper, A. B., Carpenter, K. E. and Dulvy, N. K. (2011), Extinction risk and bottlenecks in the conservation of charismatic marine species. Conservation Letters. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00206.x
Dawn M. Smith - A vet nurse, Dawn has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation around the world in addition to her veterinary hospital ...
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