Today marks the second World Aquatic Animal Day, an occasion of Lewis & Clark Law School and its Aquatic Animal Law Initiative (IAALI). The theme for this year is “The Impact of our Human Activities on Aquatic Animals.”

Aquatic animals play a critical role in our societies and the ecosystem yet they face extensive harm. Aquatic animals are often forgotten nonhuman animals and receive little attention in discussions of animal welfare.

In many countries, human activities have led to destruction of aquatic animal habitats, and depletion and extinction of some aquatic animal species. There is rampant use of harmful fishing methods and dumping in habitats of aquatic animals. There are generally illegal, uncontrolled and unregulated activities on water bodies which continue to pose risks to all aquatic lives.

There is hence urgent need to give aquatic animals the attention that they deserve and hence recognize their intrinsic and extrinsic value. This can be through law, policy, education and advocacy. As stewards of the earth, we should scale up our efforts in raising awareness of the plight of aquatic animals.