What is the biggest threat to marine mammals?
The biggest threat to marine mammals worldwide is their accidental capture or entan- glement in fishing gear (known as bycatch), which kills hundreds of thousands of them each year.
What are some marine diseases?
Marine diseases classifiable as emergencies due to the scope and scale of ecological, economic and social impacts. (a) Sea star wasting disease, (b) eelgrass wasting disease, (c) shrimp white spot disease, (d) white plague disease in the Caribbean coral Dendrogyra cylindrus, (e) Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V.
Do sea animals have diseases?
An unprecedented survey of seabirds, marine mammals, and sharks on the U.S. East Coast has revealed that marine wildlife contains a wide variety of disease-causing microbes—including many that have developed resistance to antibiotics and several that can be transmitted to humans.
What diseases can seals get?
Phocid seals are susceptible to canine distemper virus (see Canine Distemper ) and to a closely related but distinct morbillivirus (phocine distemper virus [PDV]). Generally, young seals are affected and show depression, anorexia, crusting conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and dyspnea.
How do marine mammals affect humans?
Marine mammals can be used as indicators of the health of marine ecosystems because they are long-lived, can be long-term coastal residents, feed high up in the food web (like humans, and eat many of the same types of fish as humans), have tissues and organs that may accumulate toxins (like humans), and often swim in …
How do pathogens affect marine life?
Unsafe densities of pathogens in coastal waters can lead to restrictions on shellfish harvesting, fish kills and if ignored or unnoticed, to health problems in humans and other organisms. Swimming or recreating in pathogen-contaminated waters most frequently leads to gastroenteritis.
Do marine diseases pose a risk to humans?
Marine Bacteria and Viruses While only a small percentage of these organisms cause disease in humans, they pose a significant health risk.
What happens when a seal bites you?
For instance, if a seal bites a person on the leg, the infection might stay within the leg, or the bacteria could travel through the blood and infect another part of the body, Brown said. However, no matter the location of the infection, the condition is still called seal finger, he said.
Do seals bite humans?
Seals are wild animals that can be aggressive and bite, causing major wounds and possible infection to humans.
Are there any infectious diseases in marine mammals?
The role of environmental factors in the emergence of marine mammal disease is unknown. There is some evidence of potential for zoonotic infections, and there have been a few cases of human infections from marine mammals in those with contact with tissues.
Why do marine mammals strand on the shore?
Marine mammals are adapted for a life in the ocean, but may strand on shore due to environmental conditions, disease or following death at sea. Investigations of these stranding events increase our understanding of the health of marine mammals and, by their connection to it, the health of the ocean.
Is the influenza virus common in marine mammals?
Serologic evidence of exposure to influenza virus exists for a wide range of marine mammals. Infection is probably common. Only nonspecific clinical signs were reported in the stranded pilot whale, which had difficulty maneuvering, was emaciated, and was sloughing skin. Disease due to influenza virus in seals is better characterized.
How are marine mammals related to human health?
As marine mammals and humans share a similar physiology, as well as diet and habitats in some regions, this deterioration also may impact human health. Marine mammals may be exposed to environmental stressors such as chemical pollutants, harmful algal blooms (HABs), pathogens, and man-made and natural disasters.