Editing Gulf of Aden (section)

==Ecology==

A geologically young body of water, the Gulf of Aden has a unique [[biodiversity]] that includes many varieties of [[fish]], [[coral]], [[seabird]]s and [[invertebrate]]s. This rich ecological diversity has benefited from a relative lack of [[pollution]] by humans in the past. However, environmental groups fear that the lack of a coordinated effort to control pollution may jeopardize the gulf's [[Earth's spheres|ecosphere]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/Programmes/Non-UNEP_administered_Programmes/Red_Sea_and_Gulf_of_Eden/default.asp|title=Red Sea & Gulf of Aden|publisher=United Nations Environment Programme|year=2005|access-date=2008-04-04|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20050701024758/http://www.unep.org/regionalseas/Programmes/Non-UNEP_administered_Programmes/Red_Sea_and_Gulf_of_Eden/default.asp|archive-date=2005-07-01}}</ref> [[Whale]]s, [[dolphin]]s, and [[dugong]]s<ref>Nasr D.. [http://www.unep.ch/regionalseas/main/persga/rednasr.html Dugongs in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127025822/http://www.unep.ch/regionalseas/main/persga/rednasr.html |date=2015-11-27 }}</ref> were once common<ref>Hoath R.. 2009. [https://books.google.com/books?id=agWfg6oEKKkC&q=gulf+of+aden+&pg=PA115 A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428170516/https://books.google.com/books?id=agWfg6oEKKkC&q=gulf+of+aden+&pg=PA115 |date=2023-04-28 }}. pp.112. The [[American University in Cairo Press]]. Retrieved on February 26. 2016</ref> before being severely reduced by commercial hunts, including by mass illegal hunts by the Soviet Union and Japan in the 1960s and 1970s.<ref>Jackson J.. 2006. [https://books.google.com/books?id=QGU1X1HMuQAC&dq=gulf+of+aqaba+whale&pg=PA60 Diving with Giants]{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. p.59. New Holland Publishers Ltd. Retrieved on December 17. 2014</ref> The now critically endangered Arabian [[humpback whale]]s were once seen here in large numbers,<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/149/m149p013.pdf|volume=149|date=1997|journal=Marine Ecology Progress Series|title=Humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae in the Arabian Sea|author=Yuri A. Mikhalev|page=13|doi=10.3354/meps149013|bibcode=1997MEPS..149...13M|doi-access=free|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=2020-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806073151/https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps/149/m149p013.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> but only a few large whales still appear in the gulf waters, including [[Bryde's whale]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/odyssey/odyssey/20040430_log_transcript.html|title=PBS - The Voyage of the Odyssey - Track the Voyage - MALDIVES|website=www.pbs.org|access-date=2017-08-29|archive-date=2017-10-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019022514/https://www.pbs.org/odyssey/odyssey/20040430_log_transcript.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[blue whale]]s,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/246400.pdf|title=Cetaceans in the Indian Ocean Sanctuary: A Review : A WDCS Science report|website=Vliz.be|access-date=10 August 2018|archive-date=5 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305040958/http://www.vliz.be/imisdocs/publications/246400.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and deep-sea toothed whales such as [[sperm whale]]s<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sailingluna.nl/Yemenn.htm|title=Yemen|website=www.sailingluna.nl|access-date=2016-02-26|archive-date=2016-03-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307081229/http://www.sailingluna.nl/Yemenn.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[tropical bottlenose whale]]s.<ref name=IndieSightings>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=R. C. |last2=Clark |first2=R. |last3=Madsen |first3=P. T. |last4=Johnson |first4=C. |last5=Kiszka |first5=J. |last6=Breysse |first6=O. |year=2006 |title=Observations of Longman's Beaked Whale (''Indopacetus pacificus'') in the Western Indian Ocean |journal=Aquatic Mammals|volume=32 |issue=2 |pages=223–231 |doi=10.1578/AM.32.2.2006.223 |bibcode=2006AqMam..32..223A }}</ref>