Dive into our endangered oceans with these photos of the smallest shrimps to the largest whales. Despite the threats, no marine species received additional protection by the recent United Nations CITES convention.

1.Bluefin Tuna

Why bluefin tuna are in trouble: The greatest enemy of tuna is overfishing, overfishing, overfishing, as well as tuna ranching (when tuna are caught alive and fed for months before being exported) and loss of prey.

Take action: Visit The greatest enemy of tuna is overfishing, overfishing, overfishing, as well as tuna ranching (when tuna are caught alive and fed for months before being exported) and loss of prey.Visit Oceana and learn more about bluefin tuna and other sea creatures.

2.Cape Penguin



Why are cape penguins and other sea birds in danger? Loss of nesting sites, oil spills and food loss due to overfishing are a major threat to sea birds.

Take action: Visit Cape penguins are also called jackass penguins, because of their call, which sounds like a donkey neighing. This penguin breeds only in Africa.Loss of nesting sites, oil spills and food loss due to overfishing are a major threat to sea birds.Visit Oceana and learn more about cape penguins and other sea birds.

3.Coral

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Don't forget, coral is a sea animal too. In fact they are an important part of the ocean's ecosystem. Coral gives other sea creatures protection and a place to breed and spawn. Coral also helps people out too -- coral has many pharmaceutical properties.

Why coral is in trouble: This fundamental part of the ocean is incredibly sensitive; ocean acidification and bottom trawling commercial fishing are its major threats.

Take action: Visit Don't forget, coral is a sea animal too. In fact they are an important part of the ocean's ecosystem. Coral gives other sea creatures protection and a place to breed and spawn. Coral also helps people out too -- coral has many pharmaceutical properties.This fundamental part of the ocean is incredibly sensitive; ocean acidification and bottom trawling commercial fishing are its major threats.Visit Oceana and learn more about coral and its vital role in the ocean's ecosystem.

4.Gray Whale

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Unique among whales for their dorsal humps (instead of fins), these 50-foot whales are also notable for their moans, growls, knocks and other distinctive vocalizations. While gray whales near Baja California are thought to be friendly, the species is known worldwide for the fierceness with which mothers defend their calves.

Why gray whales are in trouble: Centuries of overfishing have left one population extinct (North Atlantic) and one critically endangered (Western North Pacific). The good news is that fishing restrictions have allowed the third population, in the Eastern North Pacific, to rebound to the point that it was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1994.

Take action: Visit Unique among whales for their dorsal humps (instead of fins), these 50-foot whales are also notable for their moans, growls, knocks and other distinctive vocalizations. While gray whales near Baja California are thought to be friendly, the species is known worldwide for the fierceness with which mothers defend their calves.Centuries of overfishing have left one population extinct (North Atlantic) and one critically endangered (Western North Pacific). The good news is that fishing restrictions have allowed the third population, in the Eastern North Pacific, to rebound to the point that it was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1994.Visit WWF and learn more about gray whales and other endangered sea creatures.

5.Hector's Dolphin

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With just 7,400 individuals believed to be alive in the coastal waters off New Zealand, Hector's dolphin is listed by the IUCN as a "red list" endangered species.

Why Hector's dolphins are in trouble: Bycatch, pollutants and boat disturbance.

Take action: Visit With just 7,400 individuals believed to be alive in the coastal waters off New Zealand, Hector's dolphin is listed by the IUCN as a "red list" endangered species.Bycatch, pollutants and boat disturbance.Visit WWF and learn more about dolphins and other endangered sea creatures.

6.Humphead Wrasse

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While it is also known as the Napolean fish, the Humphead wrasse gets its name from an obvious anatomic feature. It's one of the largest coral reef fishes and can be found on reefs throughout the islands of the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean. Oh, and it's hermaphroditic, changing from one sex to the other during the course of its maturation.

Why Humphead wrasses are in trouble: Because the fish takes a long time to mature, it's relatively rare to begin with, and it's easy for fishermen to predict where it spawns, overfishing has been a problem for generations.

Take action: Visit While it is also known as the Napolean fish, the Humphead wrasse gets its name from an obvious anatomic feature. It's one of the largest coral reef fishes and can be found on reefs throughout the islands of the Pacific and parts of the Indian Ocean. Oh, and it's hermaphroditic, changing from one sex to the other during the course of its maturation.Because the fish takes a long time to mature, it's relatively rare to begin with, and it's easy for fishermen to predict where it spawns, overfishing has been a problem for generations.Visit WWF and learn more about the Humphead Wrasse and other endangered sea creatures.

7.Krill

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This tiny creature plays an important role in the ocean's ecosystem. Krill is the main food source for many marine animals, from salmon to blue whales.

Why krill is in trouble: Because krill are a food source for so many marine animals, they are harvested to feed farmed fish.

Take action: Visit This tiny creature plays an important role in the ocean's ecosystem. Krill is the main food source for many marine animals, from salmon to blue whales.Because krill are a food source for so many marine animals, they are harvested to feed farmed fish.Visit Oceana and learn more about krill and their vital role in the ocean's food web.

8.Loggerhead Sea Turtle

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Loggerhead sea turtles, like all six types of sea turtles, are listed as threatened with extinction under the

Why turtles are in trouble: Fishing gear is the sea turtles' worst enemy, but loss of habitat and climate change also play a role in putting these species in jeopardy.

Take action: Visit Loggerhead sea turtles, like all six types of sea turtles, are listed as threatened with extinction under the Endangered Species Act. : Fishing gear is the sea turtles' worst enemy, but loss of habitat and climate change also play a role in putting these species in jeopardy.Visit Oceana and learn more about sea turtles and other sea creatures.

9.Manatees

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Resembling land mammals as much as any sea creature, the manatee is a gentle giant vegetarian. The world's largest population of manatee is in Florida, but even there, fewer than 3,000 individuals are in existence.

Why manatees are in trouble: In addition to passing problems like the 2010 winter freeze that harmed manatees and other sea creatures in Florida, toxic algae (caused by human pollution), loss of habitat and boating collisions.

Take action: Visit Resembling land mammals as much as any sea creature, the manatee is a gentle giant vegetarian. The world's largest population of manatee is in Florida, but even there, fewer than 3,000 individuals are in existence.: In addition to passing problems like the 2010 winter freeze that harmed manatees and other sea creatures in Florida, toxic algae (caused by human pollution), loss of habitat and boating collisions.Visit Defenders of Wildlife and learn more about manatees and other endangered sea creatures.

10.Mediterranean Monk Seal

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One of the six most endangered mammals in the world, according to WWF, the Mediterranean Monk Seal once ranged from Portugal to Senegal. Today just 500 remain in isolated clusters.

Why seals are in trouble: Hunting, habitat destruction, pollution, depletion of fish stocks and competition with fishermen all factored into the decline of the Mediterranean Monk Seal. Other seals, however, may be threatened by global warming, as Arctic and Antarctic habitats change rapidly.

Take action: Visit One of the six most endangered mammals in the world, according to WWF, the Mediterranean Monk Seal once ranged from Portugal to Senegal. Today just 500 remain in isolated clusters.: Hunting, habitat destruction, pollution, depletion of fish stocks and competition with fishermen all factored into the decline of the Mediterranean Monk Seal. Other seals, however, may be threatened by global warming, as Arctic and Antarctic habitats change rapidly.Visit WWF and learn more about seals and other endangered sea creatures.

11.Chinook Salmon

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Salmon, the most popular seafood and sport fish in the world, are in danger. Wild salmon sales support many communities around the world, but these fish need clean rivers and oceans to survive.

Why are Chinook salmon in trouble? Chinook salmon from Alaska to California are in decline and pollution, global warming and bycatch are to blame.

Take action: Visit Salmon, the most popular seafood and sport fish in the world, are in danger. Wild salmon sales support many communities around the world, but these fish need clean rivers and oceans to survive.Chinook salmon from Alaska to California are in decline and pollution, global warming and bycatch are to blame.Visit Oceana and learn more about Chinook salmon and other salmon species.



Why Vaquitas are in trouble: Already in decline because the damming of the Colorado River has destroyed parts of their habitat, Vaquitas are also threatened by the gill nets used to catch fish. They are often killed unintentionally as bycatch.

Take action: Visit This small porpoise is one of the most endangered marine mammals, with fewer than 600 individuals left in Mexico's Gulf of California.Already in decline because the damming of the Colorado River has destroyed parts of their habitat, Vaquitas are also threatened by the gill nets used to catch fish. They are often killed unintentionally as bycatch.Visit WWF and learn more about porpoises and other endangered sea creatures.

13.Southern Sea Otter