Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that has had a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Marine animals are endangered by human plastic consumption, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals killed by plastic pollution each year. Marine animals swallow plastic when they mistake it for food, or inadvertently while feeding or swimming. Once swallowed, plastic obstructs digestion, lacerates intestines, and interferes with their ability to feed, often leading to starvation and death. Entanglement in plastic can also cause drowning, choking, amputation, infection, and malnutrition. Plastic pollution affects marine animals at all life stages, from recently hatched sea turtles to seal mothers with nursing pups. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution each year | 100,000 marine mammals; 100 million marine animals |
| Number of marine species affected by plastic pollution | 700 |
| Number of marine animals entangled in or swallowing plastic in U.S. waters since 2009 | 1,800 |
| Number of species among the 1,800 animals | 40 |
| Percentage of species among the 1,800 animals that are endangered or threatened with extinction | 88% |
| Number of endangered marine mammals in U.S. waters entangled, choked, or drowned by plastic over the last decade | 1,500 |
| Number of species among the 1,500 animals | 40 |
| Percentage of plastic consumption cases among animal cases reviewed | 90% |
| Number of sea lion entanglements in plastic debris recorded in an eight-year study in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia | 388 |
| Percentage of plastic ingestion among seabird species | 60% |
| Projected percentage of plastic ingestion among seabird species by 2050 | 99% |
| Percentage of plastic ingestion among whale, dolphin, and porpoise species | 56% |
| Number of tons of plastic ingested by fish in the North Pacific each year | 12,000–24,000 |
| Number of tons of plastic that enter the ocean each year | 8 million (15 million by another estimate) |
| Number of tons of plastic that enter the ocean each year that are ghost fishing equipment | 640,000 |
| Number of tons of plastic that enter the ocean each minute | Two garbage trucks' worth |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Plastic ingestion is one of the two primary ways in which marine animals are harmed by plastic pollution, the other being entanglement. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have ingested plastic.
Smaller plastic fragments can float on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Seabirds are often found dead with stomachs full of plastic, and it is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050. Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation.
Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, with some starving after ingesting it, mistakenly believing they are full. Sea turtles can also choke and sustain internal injuries from eating plastic. Plastic pollution on beaches can affect sea turtle reproduction rates by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.
Microplastics, or plastic pieces less than five millimeters long, are consumed by fish and invertebrates, which can then be transferred to larger fish and humans who eat seafood. A recent study found that anchovies, a crucial link in the marine food chain, mistake microplastics for food due to their smell. As larger pieces of plastic break down, they also collect algae and take on an odor similar to the food marine animals consume.
The durability of plastic means that it can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to degrade. The accumulation of plastic in the oceans and on beaches has become a global crisis, threatening marine ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
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Entanglement and injury
Marine animals are suffering fatal injuries due to plastic pollution in oceans. Plastic debris, such as discarded fishing nets, ropes, and other trash, entangle marine animals, leading to severe consequences. According to the WWF, an estimated 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enters the oceans annually is "ghost fishing equipment". This equipment, which includes nets and other fishing gear, continues to entrap marine creatures, often resulting in their deaths.
Entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear and marine debris can be life-threatening for marine mammals and sea turtles. Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and smaller sea turtles, are particularly vulnerable. They may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear, or suffer physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into their flesh. The plastic can tighten and cut deep into their skin, leaving them susceptible to deadly infections.
Even if the entangled animals can move, their prospects are grim. They may starve due to the restriction of their movement, or become more vulnerable to predators as they are unable to escape. Additionally, entanglement can impair their ability to capture and digest food, sense hunger, and reproduce.
Entanglement in plastic debris has led to injuries and deaths in various marine species. Endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species affected by plastic entanglement. Large whales, including right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales, also face entanglement issues, with some requiring rescue and rehabilitation.
The problem of plastic entanglement is not limited to marine mammals and sea turtles. Sharks are often caught in "debris collars", and birds can become entangled in plastic, leading to suffocation. Plastic packing loops can also tighten around the necks of seals and sea lions, creating "lethal necklaces" that lead to strangulation.
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Ghost fishing equipment
Plastic in the oceans is a global crisis that has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually. Marine species are affected by plastic in various ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and toxic contamination. The size of the plastic is a major factor, with large items capturing and entangling marine mammals and smaller fragments being mistaken for food by seabirds and other species. Endangered wildlife such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that ingest and get entangled in plastic litter.
The impact of ghost fishing gear on the marine environment is devastating and far-reaching. It not only harms marine life but also undermines efforts for sustainable fishing and the livelihoods of those who depend on fisheries. To address this issue, initiatives such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative have been established to define best practices and develop solutions for ghost gear management. Additionally, good fisheries management, gear modification, and the use of biodegradable materials are crucial in preventing and reducing the impact of ghost gear.
The durability of plastic is a significant challenge in addressing marine plastic pollution. Plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to degrade, and every bit of plastic ever made is estimated to still exist. As a result, plastic has escaped urban environments and reached even the most remote natural areas. While plastic has brought numerous benefits to humanity, its irresponsible disposal and unnecessary use have had devastating consequences for nature.
To mitigate the impact of plastic on marine life, individuals can take several actions. These include recycling, using reusable alternatives to disposable items, and participating in beach or community clean-up efforts. Additionally, contacting government representatives and supporting organizations working to end plastic pollution, such as the World Wildlife Fund, can contribute to larger-scale change.
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Microplastics in the food chain
Plastic in the oceans is a global crisis that has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Marine animals are affected by plastic in two principal ways: ingestion and entanglement. It is estimated that plastic in the oceans kills 100,000 marine mammals every year, and 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic.
Microplastics, which are pieces of plastic debris under five millimetres in length, have been found in the sea, air, and land, and across the food chain. They are easily ingested by marine organisms, from fish to shellfish, and can accumulate in their cells and tissues. A 2022 study found microplastics in blue mussels off the Australian coast, adding to evidence that microplastics are present in the human food chain.
Primary microplastics are intentionally manufactured small plastic particles, including microbeads used in cosmetics and plastic pellets used in industrial manufacturing. Secondary microplastics form from the breakdown of larger plastic items, such as fishing gear, through environmental exposure. Microplastics can enter the human body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact, and they have been detected in the blood, lungs, liver, and even the brain.
The health impacts of microplastics are still being studied, but they are believed to cause adverse health effects, including intestinal damage, immune problems, and neurotoxicity. Microplastics can also carry toxic chemicals and microorganisms, leading to bioaccumulation in the fatty tissues of animals. This poses a particular threat to marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas, as toxins accumulate up the food chain.
To address the issue of microplastics in the food chain, it is crucial to reduce plastic waste and promote proper waste management and recycling. Standard protocols for the collection, quantification, and characterization of microplastics are also necessary to better understand their impact and find solutions.
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Plastic pollution in nurseries
Plastic pollution is a severe issue in coastal and marine ecosystems worldwide. It has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife, with thousands of marine animals killed each year due to ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Marine nurseries, where young marine animals are born and raised, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution.
Marine nurseries provide essential habitats for the early life stages of many species, including fish, crustaceans, and marine mammals. These areas are critical for the survival and population growth of these species. However, plastic pollution can contaminate these nurseries, posing significant threats to the vulnerable young animals.
Plastic debris can accumulate in marine nurseries, creating a hazardous environment for the young animals. Large pieces of plastic can entangle and trap them, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Even if they manage to free themselves, the experience can leave them traumatized and struggling to survive.
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles, are also a concern in marine nurseries. These microscopic fragments can be ingested by young marine animals, causing internal injuries and health issues. Microplastics can also absorb toxic chemicals, leading to toxic contamination and further endangering the health of the animals.
Additionally, plastic pollution can destroy breeding and nursery grounds for seafood sources, impacting commercial fisheries. It can also contribute to the distribution of invasive species, such as algae, which can harm sensitive ecosystems and deplete marine resources.
Addressing plastic pollution in marine nurseries requires a multifaceted approach. It involves minimizing plastic leakage into natural environments, promoting plastic reuse and recycling, and incorporating environmental education into school curricula to raise awareness about the importance of protecting marine ecosystems. By taking these steps, we can help reduce the deadly impact of plastic pollution on marine nurseries and the vulnerable young animals that depend on them.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals swallow plastic when they mistake it for food or inadvertently while feeding or swimming. Plastic ingestion can obstruct digestion, lacerate intestines, and interfere with their ability to feed, leading to starvation and death. Plastic can also entangle marine animals, causing drowning, choking, amputation, or infection.
Plastic affects marine animals at all life stages, from recently hatched sea turtles to seal mothers nursing their pups. Most of the species that consumed or became entangled in plastic are endangered or threatened, including Hawaiian monk seals, manatees, Steller sea lions, humpback dolphins, and all six species of U.S. sea turtles.
It is estimated that 15 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, or about two garbage trucks' worth of plastic every minute. All five of the Earth's major ocean gyres are inundated with plastic pollution, with the largest accumulation being the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
It is important to reduce plastic consumption and properly dispose of plastic waste to prevent it from entering the ocean. Recycling, using reusable alternatives, and participating in beach or community cleanups can help reduce the amount of plastic in the ocean and mitigate the risk to marine animals.
