Snigdha Gurram
Dolphins are one of the most intelligent and complex mammals on the planet. From being fast learners to making plans on how to hunt in their pods, they are full of creativity and curious about the world around them. They also exhibit empathy by working together to take care of the sick members. Dolphins live about 40 years, but some female dolphins can live up to 60 years. Waterways rely on the ecosystem stability dolphins provide, however species like the Indus River dolphins, are endangered. Indus River dolphins have been an endangered species since 1991, under the Endangered Species Act, due to entanglement, habitat destruction, and vessel strikes. There are a total of 41 dolphin species and out of those, 5 species are endangered due in part to the increasing severity of climate change and pollution from human activities.
Humans most significantly impact dolphin populations through unsafe fishing practices. This is one of the main causes of death or injury for dolphins, specifically bottlenose dolphins. Bycatch with fishing gear has caused many deaths because of fishing methods and other industrial plants that dispose of their waste into the ocean. Fishing nets, which come from commercial or recreational uses, and other lost or abandoned equipment, entangled many marine animals, leading to countless deaths every year. Ensnared animals can drown or starve to death, and those that survive may suffer from physical trauma and infection. Entanglement interferes with the swimming capabilities of dolphins.
Beyond fishing, pollution is also a major cause of problems for dolphin. There are different pollution factors, including plastic, noise, chemical, and light, that humans cause which create a negative impact. These can result in reduced immunity for dolphins,making it difficult to survive for longer periods of time. Dolphins live in bodies of water which can be polluted from runoff or industrial chemical dumping. Dolphins are subject to breathing in air pollutants as well, ultimately harming them externally and internally.
Human activities like fishing and pollution, whether intentional or not, often trigger chain reactions that harm many life forms on our planet, including dolphins. To mitigate these impacts, it is imperative that humans take sustainable and mindful approaches in their daily lives by keeping the environment and different forms of life in their minds.
Citations
Barrantes, N. (2021, April 13). Are Dolphins Endangered? World Animal Protection US. https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/are-dolphins-endangered/
How intelligent are dolphins? (n.d.). Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA. https://us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/how-intelligent-are-dolphins/
NOAA Fisheries. (2022, September 15). Common Bottlenose Dolphin | NOAA Fisheries. Noaa.gov. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/common-bottlenose-dolphin
NOAA Fisheries. (n.d.). Entanglement of Marine Life: Risks and Response | NOAA Fisheries. Noaa.gov. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/insight/entanglement-marine-life-risks-and-response
NOAA Fisheries. (2019). Indus River Dolphin. NOAA. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/indus-river-dolphin
Threats to Whales & Dolphins - Dolphin Research Center. (2019). Dolphin Research Center. https://dolphins.org/whale_and_dolphin_threats