* Pollution:
* Plastic pollution: Ingestion and entanglement
* Oil spills: Suffocation, poisoning, and damage to habitats
* Sewage and industrial waste: Contamination of water and food sources
* Agricultural runoff: Excess fertilizers and pesticides
* Climate change:
* Ocean acidification: Makes it difficult for shellfish to build their shells
* Rising sea temperatures: Coral bleaching, habitat loss, and changes in species distribution
* Sea level rise: Coastal erosion and habitat loss
* Overfishing: Disrupts food webs and reduces populations
* Destructive fishing practices: Trawling, bottom dredging, and dynamite fishing damage habitats
* Habitat loss and degradation: Coastal development, dredging, and pollution destroy essential marine environments
* Noise pollution: Disrupts communication and navigation of marine animals
* Invasive species: Outcompete native species and disrupt ecosystems
It's important to note that these factors can interact and exacerbate each other, making the situation even more complex.