%20(1).png)
Endangered Species
To Repair the Sea—
Is to Protect Life
Endangered Ocean Species and Our Responsibility to Repair the Sea
Beneath the surface of the Ocean exists a vast and intricate world; one that is essential not only to marine life, but to all life on Earth. From the smallest plankton to the largest whales, every species plays a essential role in maintaining the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems. Yet today, many of these species are at risk of disappearing.
Sea turtles, once abundant in the Ocean, now face threats from plastic pollution, habitat loss, and accidental capture in fishing gear. Sharks, vital to maintaining healthy marine food chains, are declining at alarming rates due to overfishing. Coral reefs, often called the “rainforests of the sea” are bleaching and dying as ocean temperatures rise. These are not isolated issues; they are interconnected symptoms of a larger environmental crisis.
When a species becomes endangered, it is not just the animal we lose. It signals a breakdown in the ecosystem they support. Coral reefs, for example, provide shelter and food for thousands of species. When reefs die, entire communities of marine life disappear with them. Similarly, the loss of top predators like sharks can disrupt entire food chains, leading to imbalances that ripple throughout the Ocean. At the heart of many of these challenges is human impact. Plastic pollution has become one of the most visible and devastating threats. Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter the Ocean. Marine animals mistake it for food, become entangled in it, or suffer from the toxins it releases. A single discarded item—a bottle, a bag, a piece of fishing line—can have consequences that travel far beyond what we see. This is where responsibility meets opportunity. Repair the Sea is built on the belief that while human actions have contributed to this crisis, human actions can also be the solution. By mobilizing individuals and communities to remove debris from coastlines and waterways, we directly reduce the threats facing marine life. Every cleanup is more than just an act of environmental stewardship; it is an act of protection for endangered species.
But the work goes deeper than cleanups alone. It is about awareness, education, and connection. When people engage with the Ocean, or any body of water, in a hands-on way, they begin to see it not as something distant, but as something they are part of. That shift, from disconnection to responsibility, is where real change begins. Repairing the Sea is not a single moment or event; it is an ongoing commitment. It is recognizing that the health of the Ocean reflects the health of our world. It is understanding that protecting endangered species is not only about conservation. It is about preserving the systems that sustain life on Earth for future generations. There is still time to make a difference. Species can recover. Ecosystems can heal. But it requires consistent action, collective effort, and a willingness to take responsibility. Every piece of debris removed, every person engaged, and every moment of awareness brings us one step closer to a healthier Ocean. And in repairing the sea, we are ultimately repairing our relationship with the natural world...and with each other.
What Judaism says
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֔ים יִשְׁרְצ֣וּ הַמַּ֔יִם שֶׁ֖רֶץ נֶ֣פֶשׁ חַיָּ֑ה וְעוֹף֙ יְעוֹפֵ֣ף עַל־הָאָ֔רֶץ עַל־פְּנֵ֖י רְקִ֥יעַ הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
וַיִּבְרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֔ים אֶת־הַתַּנִּינִ֖ם הַגְּדֹלִ֑ים וְאֵ֣ת כׇּל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ הַֽחַיָּ֣ה ׀ הָֽרֹמֶ֡שֶׂת אֲשֶׁר֩ שָׁרְצ֨וּ הַמַּ֜יִם לְמִֽינֵהֶ֗ם וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־ע֤וֹף כָּנָף֙ לְמִינֵ֔הוּ וַיַּ֥רְא אֱלֹהִ֖ים כִּי־טֽוֹב׃ וַיְבָ֧רֶךְ אֹתָ֛ם אֱלֹהִ֖ים לֵאמֹ֑ר פְּר֣וּ וּרְב֗וּ וּמִלְא֤וּ אֶת־הַמַּ֙יִם֙ בַּיַּמִּ֔ים וְהָע֖וֹף יִ֥רֶב בָּאָֽרֶץ׃
"God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and birds that fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky. God created the great sea giants, and all the living creatures of every kind that creep, which the waters brought forth in swarms, and all the winged birds of every kind. And God saw that this was good.
God blessed them, saying, “Be fertile and increase, fill the Water in the Sea.”
Genesis 1:20-22
According to the Torah, everything was created with its own unique purpose and character, and was blessed by God. Therefore, Judaism has no concept of extinction. Everything is necessary. Every living being, from the smallest worm to the biggest whale has a purpose in the perfect web of creation. To remove anything from that web of creation is contrary to Jewish tradition. As Rabbi Bachya ibn Pakuda said with regard to the Mitzvah of Shiluah HaKan, we should avoid doing anything that will destroy a species or lead to the extinction of a species.
Endangered
marine species
*not in any specific order
North Atlantic
Right Whales
Eubalaena glacialis
Critically Endangered
Historically considered the “right whales to hunt” due to their slowness and thick blubber layer, right whale populations declined drastically from whaling in the 19th century. By the late 1800s, the North Atlantic right whale was nearly hunted to extinction. According to recent estimates, there are about 380 of these animals left. Even more concerningly, there are just around 70 female North Atlantic right whales capable of reproduction left, according to another report.
Vaquita
Phocoena sinus
Critically Endangered
Vaquitas are the smallest species of cetacean and are found exclusively in Mexico’s Gulf of California. Today, only around 18 individuals remain. Their greatest threat is accidental entanglement in gillnets. Due to their critically low numbers, Mexico has implemented strict protections, including a Zero Tolerance Area where all fishing is prohibited and monitored around the clock.
Great Hammerhead
Sphyrna mokarran
Critically Endangered
Great hammerheads are critically endangered mainly due to overfishing and the high demand for their fins, along with frequent accidental capture in fishing gear. They also have high death rates when caught and reproduce slowly, making it hard for populations to recover. Combined with habitat pressures, this has led to major global declines.
Yangtze Finless Porpoise
Neophocaena asiaeorientalis
ssp. asiaeorientalis
Critically Endangered
The Yangtze finless porpoise is critically endangered mainly due to severe human impacts in the Yangtze River. Heavy boat traffic, pollution, and dam construction have degraded its habitat, while fishing activities (like entanglement in nets and electrofishing) cause many deaths. With a small, isolated population and slow reproduction, these pressures have led to rapid decline. It is estimated that today there are approximately 500-1800 mature individuals left.
Sea Turtles
Pictured Here:
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Critically Endangered & Endangered
All seven species of sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Sea turtles are endangered or critically endangered mainly because of human activities affecting them at every stage of life. They are threatened by bycatch in fishing gear, poaching of eggs and adults, coastal development that destroys nesting beaches, and pollution (especially plastic). Because they grow slowly and take many years to reproduce, their populations struggle to recover from these pressures.
Giant Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
Endangered
The giant manta ray is endangered mainly due to overfishing, both targeted and as bycatch, especially for its gill plates. Its slow reproduction rate—often only one pup every few years—makes it difficult for populations to recover. Habitat degradation and climate change also reduce food availability and disrupt migration. Together, these factors have led to significant population declines worldwide.
Whale Shark
Rhincodon typus
Endangered
The whale shark is endangered mainly due to overfishing, both targeted and accidental, as well as collisions with ships. It reproduces slowly, so populations take a long time to recover from declines. Habitat degradation, pollution, and climate change also affect their food supply and migration patterns. These combined pressures have led to significant global population declines.
Southern Bluefin Tuna
Thunnus maccoyii
Endangered
Listed as Critically Endangered in some reports, and "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List due to severe historical decline, this commercially important fish species remains under threat of overfishing. Rising ocean temperatures poses another challenge for the Southern bluefin tuna, affecting their respiratory and circulatory systems. And since tunas swim continuously and at high speed, therefore have a high demand for oxygen, climate change is also impacting the oxygen concentration in the water. While the Southern Bluefin is the most critical, all bluefin tuna species are threatened by unsustainable fishing practices.
Coral Reefs
Endangered
Coral reefs are endangered due to a combination of human activities and global environmental changes. Overfishing, pollution, and coastal development constantly damage reefs, while activities like dredging and mining physically destroy them. Rising ocean temperatures and increased carbon dioxide levels cause coral bleaching, where corals lose the algae they depend on and can die. Natural events like storms can also harm reefs, but human-driven climate change makes these impacts worse and more frequent. Because these threats happen at the same time, coral reefs struggle to recover and are declining worldwide. Scientists have estimated that more than 50% of coral reefs worldwide suffered significant bleaching and 15% experienced significant mortality.
Citations
Coral Guardian. “Coral Reefs at Risk.” Coral Guardian. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.coralguardian.org/en/coral-reefs-at-risk/
International Fund for Animal Welfare. “15 of the Most Endangered Animals in the Ocean.” IFAW. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.ifaw.org/journal/15-of-the-most-endangered-animals-in-the-ocean
International Union for Conservation of Nature. “The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.” IUCN Red List. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.iucnredlist.org/
Marine Megafauna Foundation. “Giant Manta Becomes the First Manta Ray to Be Listed as an Endangered Species.” Marine Megafauna Foundation. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://marinemegafauna.org/news/giant-manta-becomes-the-first-manta-ray-to-be-listed-as-an-endangered-species
Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch. “Southern Bluefin Tuna.” Seafood Watch. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.seafoodwatch.org/recommendation/tuna/southern-bluefin-tuna-30735.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “Fisheries.” NOAA Fisheries. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/
The Marine Mammal Center. “Hawaiian Monk Seal.” The Marine Mammal Center. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.marinemammalcenter.org/animal-care/learn-about-marine-mammals/pinnipeds/hawaiian-monk-seal
World Wildlife Fund. “Tuna.” World Wildlife Fund. Accessed March 24, 2026. https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/tuna/