Because this WWW page examines several of Hawaii's endangered and threatened marine species including the Humpback whale, Hawaiian monk seal, green sea turtle, and dolphins, it seems appropriate to first become familiar with some of the key terms and concepts you will encounter. Endangered refers to a species whose population is declining drastically, and is in danger of extinction. Threatened applies to those species whose population levels are declining and that are likely to become endangered in the forseeable future. If species considered endangered or threatened are not protected they may become extinct.
Species become extinct when all individuals of that species die.
When this occurs, the species and all the genes of that particular species' genetic line are lost forever. To prevent extinctions it is important to protect and show respect for the earth's biodiversity. Biodiversity refers to the total number of species, genes, and ecosystems found on our planet. It is a representation of the wealth of life on earth, a wealth which has undergone hundreds of millions of years of evolutionary history, and to which many human cultures have become adapted. Biological resources provide mankind with all of its foods, and form the basis of many medicines and industries.