Alert warns that about 30% of the 138,000 species assessed are becoming extinct

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reported during its annual red list update on Saturday in Marseille, France, that despite global improvement at the species level, the number of species at high risk continues to grow.

The organization said many regional tuna populations remain severely depleted. For example, bluefin tuna continue to be overfished in the Indian Ocean.

Its update also included a reassessment of the world’s shark and ray species, which shows that 37% of these species are now facing extinction. According to IUCN, all endangered shark and ray species are overfished, with 31% of them affected by habitat loss and degradation and 10% also by climate change.

“We observe striking similarities between shark and lightning statistics and recent plant estimates: approximately 2 out of 5 are threatened with extinction and habitat loss and degradation poses more immediate threats than climate change,” he said Dr. Eimear Nic Lughadha, conservation scientist. at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

In addition, the Komodo dragon, the world’s largest lizard, is now considered endangered due to significant habitat loss due to ongoing human activities and climate change, the IUCN.

“The idea that these prehistoric animals have come one step closer to extinction due, in part, to climate change is terrifying, and another clarion calls for nature to be placed at the heart of all decision-making. on the eve of COP26 in Glasgow, “said Dr Andrew Terry, director of conservation at the Zoological Society of London.

COP26, a United Nations conference on climate change, will take place in November. Alok Sharma, president of COP26, has previously said he wants this year’s climate talks to reach an agreement on several key goals, including the deadline on coal use, the commitment to make all sales of new vehicles are zero emissions within the next 14 to 19 years, stopping deforestation by the end of the decade and further reducing methane emissions.

There are reasons for hope for endangered species: Of the seven most commercially fished tuna species that were re-evaluated, four show signs that they are beginning to recover after countries have imposed fishing quotas. more sustainable and successfully combat illegal fishing, IUCN said.

The four tuna species include Atlantic bluefin tuna, which went from “endangered” to “less worrying”, southern bluefin tuna, which went from “critically endangered” to “endangered” tuna alacor and yellow fin, both “almost threatened” by “less worry.”

“These red-list assessments are proof that sustainable fishing approaches work, with huge long-term benefits for subsistence and biodiversity. We must continue to implement sustainable fishing quotas and crack down on illegal fishing.” said Bruce B. Collette, president of the IUCN Group of Tuna and Beakfish Specialists.

“Tuna species migrate through thousands of miles, so it’s also key to coordinate their management globally,” Collette said.

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