Recent research has shown cuttlefish,
octopuses and squids are thriving. The three cephalopods have increased
in number compared with many other species of fish that are declining.
According to Zoë Doubleday, lead author
of the study and marine ecologist from the University of Adelaide in
Australia, over the last 60 years, the number of cephalopods has
substantially increased. Plus, it seems that there is something in the
marine environment that helps these animals.
Dr. Doubleday and her team gathered all
the information regarding the population numbers of cephalopods from
1953 to 2013. They also used the data from the historical catch rates
for 35 cephalopod species, including the common cuttlefish, the giant
Pacific octopus, and the Japanese flying squid.
All these 35 species live in various
marine ecosystems throughout the world such as Madagascar, Morocco,
United States, Australia, and many other countries. After they had
looked at the data, they established that every species is thriving.
Plus, she was amazed at how consistent these increases were among the
cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids, including the creatures that live in
tide pools and the species that live in the open seas.
According to a World Wildlife Fund
report from 2015, around 1,200 marine vertebrate species dropped off in
numbers from 1970 to 2012, including fish like tunas and mackerels. John
Tanzer, Director of the W.W.F. International Marine Program, said that
this situation is not to be taken lightly because the loss of these
marine animals will affect the entire water ecosystem that supports life
on Earth.
Still, invertebrates, such as
cephalopods, are doing just fine. Dr. Doubleday and her team are trying
now to determine why cephalopods are thriving whereas many other marine
animals are dying. Until now, she believes that overfishing might be a
possible cause. It means that overfishing might reduce the number of
fish that hunt cuttlefish, octopuses, and squids.
But if they manage to find the answer,
we will better understand what is the real impact of human activities on
the ocean. After so many bad news regarding marine life, it’s nice to
hear that there are still some species that thrive in the ocean. We can
only be glad for octopuses and squids and hope that many other species
of marine animals will increase in numbers.
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