Essay Example on Preserving Galapagos Sea Lions

Introduction

For a long time now, we have continued to ignore the visible signs showing us that there is something very wrong with the ocean system. Many signs are indicating that something is interfering with our ocean system, but the latest indication is that of thousands of baby Galapagos sea lions being washed ashore. As research has shown, we need to take action to save our sea lions now and for the future. We need to understand that these creatures are crucial for the ecosystem and if nothing is done to mitigate the situation, we might just live to see our whole ecosystem changing for the worst to the detriment of everyone.

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What are the Galapagos Sea Lions?

The Galapagos Sea Lion (Zalophus wollebaeki) is a sea lion species that breeds exclusively on the Galapagos Islands and in smaller numbers in California. They are among the most social species of sea lions and can often be spotted basking on the rocks or sandy shores or sometimes gracefully surfing the waves. They generally have long torpedo-shaped bodies covered with short but coarse hairs. They are entirely different from seals because they have ear flaps and have flippers used for both mobility on the sand and swimming (Denkinger, Quiroga, and Murillo, 2014). The fins have nails and are furry. The males weigh between 850 and 1000 1bs and can be as long as 6 feet in length. Their necks are thick with long manes. Females are about 220 1bs and as long as 6 feet. The species is colored from golden brown to chocolate with the males being more chocolate and females more golden brown.

Importance of the Galapagos sea lion

The number one importance of this species is a tourist attraction. The sea lions are very playful and friendly. They play with each other, surf the waves, and are friendly to humans but can get dangerous if approached within 4 meters distance. They have loud barks, graceful agility in water, and very playful (Denkinger, Quiroga, and Murillo, 2014). These are the qualities that attract tourists from the world over to California to watch them. When tourists come to visit the sea lions, this adds significant value to the country's revenue not only in terms of the price they pay to watch them, but also through the value they bring through accommodation, and meals, among other things.

Secondly, Galapagos sea lions contribute to the ecosystem by balancing it. These species feed on small fish, squids, sardines, and yellow-fin tuna all year round. Without feeding on these fishes, they would exceed their limits in the ocean, and there would be an imbalance in the ocean ecosystem (Alava and Salazar, 2016). Contrary to common belief that the Galapagos sea lions feed on salmon, they on a large percentage feed on hake which is a predator for salmon. By feeding on hake, the sea lions prevent the deterioration of salmon which is an advantage for fishers.

Additionally, Galapagos sea lions can indicate environmental degradation and changes when keenly observed. For example, changes in their behavior, health, and abundance can show a severe change in the ecological structure. They, therefore, synthesize the marine ecosystem and serve as an early warning sign in case things go amiss in the ocean.

Lastly, the fecal matter of the Galapagos sea lion is of a lot of significance in the marine system. The bacteria in the gut of the sea lions store vital nutrients that are needed in the ecosystem. These bacteria contain essential microbiomes that can metabolize phosphorus and iron which are essential elements necessary for the growth of phytoplankton, food for the fish. The excess body fats found in the guts also helps in ocean thermoregulation which helps to warm the ocean during cold winter seasons.

Human activities interfering with the Galapagos sea lions

In recent years, the number of sea lions has increasingly dropped, and the species is classified as an endangered species. This predicament is because of human activities that interfere with the ocean operations thus rendering these animals lifeless. First of all, habitat degradation and climate change significantly distort the reproduction of these animals (Alava et al., 2015). Global warming brings about rises in sea levels, increase in water acidity, and rising temperatures in the water, all which remarkably affect the sea lion habitation and their food sources. Female sea lions are forced to feed on non-nutrients which in turn affect the health and nutrition of the baby sea lions and the parents alike (Chavez et al., 2016).

Sea lions are also being hunted and killed for their skin, or sometimes their teeth are extracted to make necklaces for tourists. Similarly, many people are still illegally hunting and killing sea lions for food and other benefits to them all over the world. In some parts of the world, sea lions are hunted for their meat, whiskers, fur, and more disturbingly to use them as toothpicks (Culik, 2014). Furthermore, fishers are carelessly throwing their nets and hooks in to the water, and the sea lions get entangled in the nets or hooks causing them to suffocate to death.

Another similar problem is that of plastic, nylon and ocean debris. The disposal of plastic and nylon in to the oceans causes these substances to get trapped on the bodies of the animals causing them to suffocate to death, see the figure below. Abandoned and discarded fishing gear such as long lines, trawls, and gill nets entangle or ensnare the sea lions, while monofilament lines, ropes, and nets strangle them.

What can we do to protect these animals?

The major problem affecting these animals is plastic. Governments need to put measures in place to reduce the usage of plastic as well as the number of plastic being let in to the oceans. This initiative can start by stopping the use of disposable plastic shopping bags and plastic water bottles (Ferber, 2016). Secondly, the government and local authorities can ensure that tap water is purified and made safe for drinking so that people can feel safe drinking water from the tap as opposed to water bottles.

Environmentalists and government authorities should advocate for reusing and recycling of plastic and nylon and ensure that garbage is disposed of off appropriately so as not to make its way in to the ocean or water bodies (Denkinger, Quiroga, and Murillo, 2014). Governments and environmentalists should also raise public awareness about the importance of Galapagos sea lions and encourage people to avoid purchasing any products that contain microbeads. The most important action to take is to conduct environmental communication and education awareness training to educate the public about the importance of sea lions and the problems they face as a result of careless human actions.

Conclusion

The good news is that there is still a bright side to this problem. Sea lions are still around, and they are not yet extinct like dinosaurs and other species. These species are worth preserving, and we still have a chance to do so while we can. People in California are already helping out by reporting to local shelters when they find baby sea lions having been washed ashore. These pups are kept in shelters, but rapidly shelters are running out of space. It is time to take immediate action to start the sea lion rescue work and protect the ecosystem from future disasters. Because individual actions can impact the world, it means we have some level of control over what happens to our world. Through our activities however small they are, we can make the planet cleaner and make life easier and better for the Galapagos sea lions and other sea creatures!

References

Alava, J. J., & Salazar, S. (2016). Status and conservation of Otariids in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. Sea lions of the world, 495-519.

Alava, J. J., Ross, P. S., Ikonomou, M. G., Cruz, M., Jimenez-Uzcategui, G., Dubetz, C., ... & Gobas, F. A. (2015). DDT in endangered Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki). Marine pollution bulletin, 62(4), 660-671.

Chavez, F. P., Strutton, P. G., Friederich, G. E., Feely, R. A., Feldman, G. C., Foley, D. G., & McPhaden, M. J. (2016). Biological and chemical response of the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the 1997-98 El Nino. Science, 286(5447), 2126-2131.

Culik, B. M. (2014). Review of Small Cetaceans: Distribution, Behaviour, Migration, and Threats. (Marine Mammal Action Plan/Regional Seas Reports and Studies, No. 177). In Bonn, Germany: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).

Denkinger, J., Quiroga, D., & Murillo, J. C. (2014). Assessing human-wildlife conflicts and benefits of Galapagos sea lions on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. The Galapagos Marine Reserve (pp. 285-305). Springer, Cham.Ferber D. (2016). Galapagos station survives the latest attack by fishers. Science 290:2059-2061