Threat: Habitat Damage |
What is a Habitat? An animal’s habitat is the area in which it eats, sleeps, hunts, plays, raises its young, interacts with other animals, hides from predators or travels through to reach other important places. In short it is the area in which it lives. In the case of dolphins and whales, their habitat is the ocean or certain rivers. What is Habitat Damage? Habitat damage occurs when a habitat is damaged or destroyed. Cetacean habitat can be damaged as a result of pollution, coastal development, land reclaimation, exploitation of the seabed, dredging and certain fishing methods such as bottom trawling. How does Habitat Damage Affect Cetacans? Habitat Damage can make an area unhealthy for cetacean populations due to increased human activity, pollution or elimination of prey populations. In extreme cases this may result in whales and dolphins becoming sick or being driven from preferred habitats which might offer better food, protection and comfort. Some damage may also be caused indirectly by damaging the breeding grouds or nurseries of prey species which support cetacean populations. Habitat Damage in Trinidad and Tobago Habitat damage occurs fairly often in Trinidad and Tobago and occurs due to coastal development, land reclaimation, exploitation of the seabed, dredging and bottom trawling. As a country, we need to examine these activities and determine ways to reduce their impact on ocean life. |
