Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles, and scientists are only beginning to understand its impacts. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food. Once a turtle swallows plastic, it gets stuck in its gut, limiting its ability to absorb and digest food. This can lead to blockages, poor nutrition, and even death. Scientists estimate that over half of the world's sea turtles and nearly every seabird have ingested plastic. In addition to ingestion, sea turtles can also become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, leading to injuries and drowning. With plastic pollution increasing in our oceans, it is essential to address this issue to protect sea turtles and other marine life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic ingestion by turtles | Plastic ingestion has been observed in all seven marine turtle species. |
| How turtles ingest plastic | Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food (e.g. plastic bags that resemble jellyfish), or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food (e.g. a plastic straw on the seafloor). |
| Impact on digestive system | Plastic ingestion can cause physical damage to the intestines, lead to blockages, and trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in poor nutrition and starvation. |
| Entanglement | Turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear or "ghost nets," which can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and in severe cases, cause drowning and death. |
| Impact on health | Plastic ingestion has been reported to have lethal and sublethal effects on turtles. Even small amounts of plastic debris can block or harm the gastrointestinal tract, reduce digestive and swimming capacity, and potentially transport toxic substances to body tissues. |
| Impact on conservation status | Over 50% of all recognized turtle species are considered threatened, and plastic ingestion is a growing threat to turtles worldwide. |
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What You'll Learn
How plastic enters turtles' digestive systems
Plastic enters a turtle's digestive system mainly through two ways: accidental ingestion and ingestion due to the similarity of plastic items with their natural prey.
Accidental ingestion occurs when plastic debris is mixed with or attached to a turtle's natural food. For example, a plastic straw on the seafloor could be accidentally consumed along with crustaceans. Turtles are also attracted to the scent of biofouled plastics, which are covered in microbes, algae, plants, and small animals. This attraction to the scent of plastics has been confirmed by studies, which found that turtles respond to the smell of ocean-soaked plastics in the same way they respond to food.
Plastic items can also physically resemble a turtle's natural prey, such as jellyfish, leading to intentional ingestion. All seven species of marine turtles are known to ingest plastic, with both macroplastics (>5mm) and microplastics (<5mm) consumed.
The ingestion of plastic by turtles has been observed since 1966, and it continues to be a growing threat to their survival. Turtles are unable to throw up plastic once swallowed, leading to blockages in their digestive systems and limiting their ability to absorb and digest food. This problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastics do not break down and can last forever, breaking down into microplastics that can be ingested by turtles and other marine life.
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Why turtles mistake plastic for food
Sea turtles are eating plastic in the ocean and often dying as a result. Research shows that sea turtles mistake the scent of plastic for food. Once ingested, plastic gets stuck in the turtle's gut, limiting its ability to absorb and digest food.
Sea turtles are known to eat jellyfish, and plastic bags in the ocean bear a striking resemblance to their favourite food. The leatherback sea turtle (*Dermochelys coriacea*) is particularly prone to mistaking plastic bags for prey. In addition, fishing nets can look like tasty seaweed, another staple food for sea turtles.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that turtles cannot regurgitate. As a result, ingested plastic gets stuck in their stomachs, causing blockages in their intestines and limiting their ability to digest food. In some cases, plastic can even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.
Furthermore, the presence of plastic in the stomach can imitate the sensation of being full, leading to starvation as turtles neglect to seek out other food sources.
The impact of plastic ingestion on turtles is well documented. Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia found that ingesting a single plastic item increased a turtle's chances of dying by 22%. The mortality rate jumps to 50% if a turtle consumes 14 pieces of plastic.
It is not just marine turtles that are affected by plastic pollution. Freshwater turtles are also at risk, with over 50% of all recognised turtle species considered threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.
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The impact of plastic ingestion on turtles' health
Plastic ingestion has been observed to have both lethal and sub-lethal effects on turtles. Sea turtles often mistake plastic for their natural food, such as jellyfish, due to its appearance and scent. This plastic debris gets stuck in their digestive system, causing blockages and limiting their ability to absorb and digest food. It can also trick turtles into feeling full, leading to poor nutrition and starvation. Additionally, ingested plastic may introduce toxic substances into the turtles' body tissues.
The ingestion of plastic by turtles has been documented in all seven marine turtle species, with variations in the quantity and type of plastic ingested due to differences in habitats and feeding preferences. Sea turtles are affected by plastic during every stage of their life cycle, from crawling through plastic on their way to the ocean as hatchlings to swimming through it as adults. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastics do not easily degrade and can break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by turtles through their natural food sources.
Research has shown that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, and it is estimated that thousands of sea turtles die each year from ocean pollution, including ingestion and entanglement in plastic debris. While some studies suggest that ingested plastic may pass through the gastrointestinal tract of turtles without causing negative health effects, other studies indicate that plastic ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal impaction, reduced swimming capacity, and even death in turtles.
The impact of plastic ingestion on turtle health is a growing concern, and scientists are still working to understand its full extent. However, it is clear that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the health and survival of sea turtles worldwide. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect sea turtles and their habitats are crucial to mitigate the negative impacts of plastic ingestion on these ancient and imperiled creatures.
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How plastic pollution affects turtles at different life stages
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles at every stage of their lives. As hatchlings, they crawl through plastic debris on their way to the ocean, and this debris can also affect their nests on the beach. In the ocean, turtles often mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish, and ingest it. This mistake causes blockages in their digestive systems and can lead to death. Turtles can also become entangled in plastic debris, which can result in choking, limb loss, or other injuries.
During their migration, sea turtles swim through plastic pollution and continue to be at risk of ingesting it or becoming entangled. The ingestion of plastic can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in starvation. Research has shown that ingesting just one piece of plastic increases a turtle's chance of dying by 22%.
As adult sea turtles return to the beach to nest, they must crawl through collected debris, which can be challenging to navigate. The plastic pollution on beaches and in the ocean comes from human activities, such as the use of single-use plastic packaging and fishing gear. It is estimated that over half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, and thousands die each year from ocean pollution and plastic ingestion or entanglement.
In addition to the direct impacts of plastic pollution on sea turtles, there are also indirect effects. Plastic can absorb toxins from the surrounding environment, which are then released into the turtle's body when ingested. This can lead to health issues such as hormone disruption and reproductive problems. Furthermore, plastic pollution can also affect the availability of food sources for sea turtles, as it contaminates the ocean and impacts the ecosystems they depend on.
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Solutions to reduce plastic pollution and protect turtles
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, impacting them at every stage of their lives. Turtles often mistake plastic for food, leading to blockages in their digestive systems and, in many cases, death. They also get entangled in plastic debris, further endangering their lives. To reduce plastic pollution and protect turtles, the following solutions can be implemented:
Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption
Single-use plastics such as straws, plastic bags, and disposable utensils contribute significantly to plastic pollution. By reducing the use of these items, we can decrease the amount of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans and endangers turtles.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Ensuring that waste is disposed of properly in designated bins can help prevent plastic from ending up in the oceans. This includes disposing of waste responsibly when visiting beaches or coastal areas to minimize the risk of plastic reaching the ocean and affecting turtles.
Participate in Beach Cleanups
Volunteering for beach and ocean cleanups can make a direct impact by removing plastic and other debris from turtle habitats. Organizations like SEE Turtles and Projects Abroad have conservation volunteers who regularly participate in beach cleanup projects and underwater trash removal. These efforts not only improve nesting conditions for turtles but also provide valuable data to local governments and conservation organizations.
Support Conservation Projects
Organizations like SEE Turtles and Projects Abroad offer conservation projects that focus on raising awareness about the environment and the protection of sea turtles. Their volunteers visit schools and community centers to educate others about the impact of plastic pollution on turtles and the importance of conservation. Supporting and participating in such projects can help spread awareness and garner support for turtle conservation.
Protect and Restore Turtle Nesting Habitats
Turtle conservation projects also work to protect and restore nesting habitats for turtles. This includes patrolling beaches to protect turtle nests from poaching and relocating nests to safe sand incubators. Additionally, planting and cultivating mangroves in turtle nesting areas can provide natural protection from coastal erosion. These efforts ensure that hatchlings have a clean and safe environment to begin their lives.
Advocate for Global Solutions
Global efforts to address plastic pollution, such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aim to significantly reduce and prevent marine plastic pollution. Supporting and advocating for these initiatives can help ensure that nations take collective action to address plastic pollution and protect turtles on a global scale.
By implementing these solutions, we can reduce plastic pollution and mitigate its harmful effects on sea turtles. It is crucial to work together to ensure a healthier ocean environment for these ancient creatures and future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic can get stuck in a turtle's gut, limiting its ability to absorb and digest food. It can also cause physical damage to their intestines and lead to blockages.
Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish. Turtles are also attracted to the way marine plastics smell, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. Turtles can also accidentally eat plastic that is present among their natural food, such as a plastic straw on the seafloor.
There is a growing movement of people, organizations, governments, and businesses taking action to fight plastic pollution worldwide. Individuals can also play a role in reducing plastic pollution by reducing their use of single-use plastics, disposing of plastic waste properly, and supporting organizations working to protect turtles and other marine life from the impacts of plastic pollution.
