OCEAN HABITAT- By Sophia Statz

The ocean is home to billions of animals. These animals need to adapt to their habitat. The animals are hurt in the ocean sometimes. Predators try to get animals so the animals try to get away. Some sharks have such strong teeth that the sharks can bite through a turtle’s shell. Some people don’t know that they are putting pollution in the water so the animals can get sick.

Ocean habitat

Ocean habitatDolphins and porpoises are at the top of the food chain and have an important role in the oceans. They have adapted by being very fast to avoid predators. They can tell us a lot about the health of the ocean, such as the presence of pollution or the decline in fish.

Ocean habitat

SEA LIONS are affected by the climate change on ocean currents, which impacts their food supply. They are also victims of fishermen when catching fish. Sea Lions have adapted by being agile.

Climate ChangeIce seals live in the Arctic and have adapted to their habitat by having thick skin to keep them warm. The entire seal lifecycle relies on ice and rapid ice loss in the Arctic causes seal pups to be separated from their mothers during the feeding period. Rapid ice loss and not being able to build dens for protection causes many pups to die.

HuntingHuman greed has led to the decline of many seal populations. In the past, millions of seals were killed for their valuable meat, blubber, and pelts. In some countries seals are still killed in large numbers because fishermen blame them for the decline in fish.

Ocean habitat

Ocean habitat

Threats against sea turtlesFisheries Bycatch

Worldwide, hundreds of thousands of sea turtles a year are accidentally caught in shrimp trawl nets, on longline hooks and in fishing gillnets.  Sea turtles need to reach the surface to breathe, and therefore many drown once caught. Known as bycatch, it is a serious hazard for green turtles. As fishing activity expands, this threat is more of a problem.

Habitat Loss

Sea turtles are dependent on beaches for nesting. Uncontrolled coastal development, vehicle traffic on beaches, and other human activities have directly destroyed or disturbed sea turtle nesting beaches around the world. Green turtle feeding grounds such as seagrass beds are also at risk from coastal development onshore, which leads to pollution and sedimentation in the nearby waters.

Ocean habitat