CR

Latimeria chalumnae

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The West Indian Ocean coelacanth faces severe threats from accidental capture in deep-sea fishing operations, particularly gillnets and bottom trawls targeting other commercial species. With an extremely small population estimated at fewer than 500 mature individuals, even minimal fishing mortality poses a critical risk to species survival. Coastal development and potential deep-sea mining activities further threaten the species' limited rocky cave habitats along steep underwater slopes.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits deep rocky caves and overhangs along steep underwater slopes at depths of 90-400 meters in the warm waters of the Western Indian Ocean. Prefers areas with strong currents and rocky substrates that provide shelter during daylight hours.

MARINE· major

Conservation measures underway

Legislation

Other threatened species in LATIMERIIDAE

Latimeria menadoensisVU

Latimeria menadoensis

Unknown

Threatened in Madagascar

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
Ravenea musicalisCR

Ravenea musicalis

Declining
EN

Pseudoxyrhopus kely

Declining
VU

Actinopyga mauritiana

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Latimeria chalumnae classified as Critically Endangered?
Latimeria chalumnae is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The West Indian Ocean coelacanth faces severe threats from accidental capture in deep-sea fishing operations, particularly gillnets and bottom trawls targeting other commercial species. With an extremely small population estimated at fewer than 500 mature individuals, even minimal fishing mortality poses a critical risk to species survival. Coastal development and potential deep-sea mining activities further threaten the species' limited rocky cave habitats along steep underwater slopes.
Where does Latimeria chalumnae live?
Latimeria chalumnae occurs in Madagascar, Mozambique, and South Africa. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Latimeria chalumnae?
The main threats to Latimeria chalumnae are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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