Conservation

Gallery: 10 marine species that need protecting

From the black sea snail to the North Atlantic ​r​ight ​w​hale, many marine species are endangered
<p>The whale shark is the world&#8217;s biggest fish, and also one of its most endangered (Image: <a href="http://www.thinkstockphotos.com/image/stock-photo-whale-shark-coming-to-you-underwater-close-up/607632870">Andrea Izzotti/Thinkstock</a>)</p>

The whale shark is the world’s biggest fish, and also one of its most endangered (Image: Andrea Izzotti/Thinkstock)

Whether it’s the world’s biggest fish (the whale shark) or smaller species like the North American sea snail and elkhorn coral, many of our ocean species are endangered.

They are threatened by over-fishing, illegal trafficking, tourism, climate change, disease and pollution. These threats are diverse, manmade and largely preventable. Oceans are sensitive and complex ecosystems where one disruption to the food chain can trigger a crisis affect ing other species.

This interactive multimedia map shows species that are in urgent need of help if they are to avoid extinction.

Please click here to see the map in a separate window.