Human activities are causing the extinction of species on Earth at a rate that far exceeds the pace of natural extinction. Habitat degradation, pollution, overfishing, illegal trade are among the leading causes of species decline.
IUCN is the foremost authority for the classification, monitoring and conservation of endangered species worldwide. The Global Marine and Polar Programme (GMPP) supports the work of the Species Survival Commission for all issues threatening the conservation status of marine species.
We engage at global and local levels with communities, fishing and tourism industries and oil and gas companies to raise awareness about the risks of species loss and to develop best practises to reduce the human impact on the environment.