Chloe Zhang
Sea turtles are one of the oldest living creatures on Earth, dating back to when dinosaurs roamed the planet. However, their survival is now threatened by plastic pollution in the oceans. With an estimated 11 to 13 million metric tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, sea turtles are impacted by plastic at every stage of their life cycle, from crawling through plastic on their way to the ocean as hatchlings to ingesting plastic that resembles their natural food sources, such as jellyfish. The ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, and starvation, while entanglement in plastic debris can restrict their movement and make them more vulnerable to predators. The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles highlights the urgent need for global efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste to protect these ancient mariners and the marine ecosystems they inhabit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastic trash in the ocean | 15 trillion pieces |
| Amount of plastic waste entering the ocean annually | 5–13 million metric tons |
| Impact on young sea turtles | High risk of ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic |
| Impact on adult sea turtles | Crawl through plastic to find a nesting spot |
| Impact on sea turtles during migration | Swim through plastic |
| Impact of microplastics | Enters the food chain, ingested by fish and other marine animals |
| Impact of plastic on sea turtle population | Feminization of sea turtle hatchlings |
| Impact of plastic on sea turtle health | Blockages in the intestines, internal bleeding, starvation |
| Impact of plastic on sea turtle safety | Bubble butts, making them vulnerable to boat strikes and predation |
| Impact of plastic on sea turtle mortality | 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic, 91% of turtles entangled in fishing gear died, over 100 million marine animals die each year |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic ingestion causes intestinal blockages and internal bleeding
- Turtles mistake plastic for food, like jellyfish
- Plastic pollution affects turtles at every life stage
- Turtles get entangled in plastic, like six-pack rings and fishing gear
- Plastic feminizes turtle populations, threatening their survival
Plastic ingestion causes intestinal blockages and internal bleeding
Plastic ingestion is a significant threat to sea turtles, causing intestinal blockages and internal bleeding. Sea turtles often mistake plastic for their staple foods, such as jellyfish, and ingest it unknowingly. This ingested plastic gets trapped in their digestive system, leading to blockages and internal injuries.
The downward-facing spines in sea turtles' throats prevent them from regurgitating, so ingested plastic cannot be easily expelled. As a result, the plastic accumulates in their stomachs, causing blockages and preventing them from properly swallowing food. This condition can lead to starvation as turtles are unable to consume sufficient nourishment.
Additionally, the harmful decomposition of plastic inside the turtles' bodies can release toxic gases that cause "bubble butts," a buoyancy disorder where turtles float due to trapped gas. This floating makes them more vulnerable to boat strikes, predation, and entanglement, further endangering their lives.
The impact of plastic ingestion on sea turtles is severe and often deadly. Research by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) revealed that a turtle's chances of dying increase with the amount of plastic consumed. Ingesting as few as 14 plastic items resulted in a 50% likelihood of death.
The threat of plastic ingestion is exacerbated by the fact that plastics do not biodegrade. They persist in the environment, breaking down into microplastics that are easily ingested by turtles and other marine life. These microplastics can spread across food chains and ecosystems, further endangering sea turtles and other animals.
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Turtles mistake plastic for food, like jellyfish
Sea turtles are highly impacted by plastic pollution. They encounter plastic debris at various stages of their life cycles and in different habitats, both near the coast and in the open ocean. One of the primary ways plastic affects sea turtles is through ingestion.
Turtles mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish, one of their favourite foods. They also mistake floating mylar balloons for jellyfish. These balloons can travel hundreds of miles and end up in rivers or the ocean. The plastic then gets stuck in the turtle's stomach, causing blockages in their digestive system and leading to death.
Research has also found that turtles are attracted to the scent of plastic, mistaking it for food. They respond to the smell of biofouled plastic, which accumulates microbes, algae, plants, and small animals on its surface, in the same way they respond to their actual food. This is a significant concern as it increases the likelihood of ingestion.
The ingestion of plastic can lead to "bubble butt," a buoyancy disorder caused by trapped gas in the turtle's digestive system. This condition makes it difficult for turtles to submerge, impacting their feeding abilities and leaving them more vulnerable to boat strikes and predation.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles highlights the urgent need for action to reduce plastic waste and protect these ancient creatures that have survived mass extinctions.
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Plastic pollution affects turtles at every life stage
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, affecting them at every stage of their life. From hatchlings to adults, turtles encounter plastic waste that impacts their health and survival.
Hatchling sea turtles face challenges even before entering the ocean. They must crawl through plastic debris on their way to the water, and this debris can also affect their nests and fellow hatchlings. The plastic waste on beaches includes items like plastic bags, bottles, and balloons, which can be mistaken for food by the turtles.
As young sea turtles, they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, living in flotsam and feeding on other organisms. Unfortunately, plastic waste is also transported by these currents, increasing the risk of ingestion or entanglement. The convergence of plastic and young turtles puts them in danger, and the long-term impacts of plastic pollution on their developmental habitats remain unknown.
During their migrations, sea turtles swim through areas with high levels of plastic pollution. They can get entangled in discarded fishing gear, six-pack rings, or other plastic debris. Additionally, they may ingest plastic that resembles their natural food, such as plastic bags that look like jellyfish, or consume microplastics present in their prey.
Adult sea turtles continue to face the threat of plastic pollution. They must crawl through accumulated debris to find nesting sites, and the ingested plastic can cause blockages, internal injuries, and starvation. The harmful decomposition of plastic waste can lead to buoyancy disorders, making it difficult for turtles to submerge and feed properly, and leaving them vulnerable to predators.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is evident at every stage of their lives. From their first journey to the ocean to their migrations and nesting as adults, plastic waste poses a constant threat to their health and survival. With the growing presence of plastic in our oceans, urgent action is needed to protect sea turtles and mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Turtles get entangled in plastic, like six-pack rings and fishing gear
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, and it affects them at every stage of their life. One of the primary ways it does so is by entanglement. Sea turtles often get entangled in plastic items such as six-pack rings and discarded fishing gear, including lines, nets, and buoys. This plastic debris can ensnare turtles and restrict their movement, making it difficult for them to swim or surface for air, ultimately leading to drowning.
Young sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to entanglement. During their early years, they float with ocean currents and live among flotsam, such as brown algae. Unfortunately, plastic waste is also transported by these same currents, increasing the likelihood of young turtles encountering and becoming entangled in plastic. This early exposure to plastic pollution can have detrimental effects on their development and survival.
The impact of entanglement in plastic can be severe for sea turtles. It can cause physical restrictions, impairing their ability to swim freely and escape predators. Entanglement can also lead to what is known as "bubble butt," a condition caused by trapped gas inside the turtle's digestive system. This trapped gas is believed to be a result of the harmful decomposition of ingested marine debris. "Bubble butt" can cause turtles to float, making them more vulnerable to predation and boat strikes and increasing their risk of drowning.
The issue of plastic entanglement extends beyond the initial physical restriction. As turtles struggle to free themselves, they may ingest plastic, leading to internal blockages and health complications. Discarded fishing gear, in particular, poses a severe threat. Research by the University of Exeter found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. The study also revealed that out of 106 marine experts surveyed, 84% had directly witnessed the death of turtles due to plastic entanglement.
The threat of entanglement in plastic, such as six-pack rings and fishing gear, underscores the urgent need for action to address plastic pollution. Efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic are crucial to mitigating the impact on sea turtles and other marine life. Additionally, supporting organizations dedicated to cleaning up our oceans and rehabilitating affected turtles is essential to protect these ancient mariners and ensure their survival for future generations.
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Plastic feminizes turtle populations, threatening their survival
Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years, but plastic is a new and devastating threat. They encounter plastic debris at various life stages and in different habitats, both near the coast and in the open ocean. Plastic pollution affects sea turtles primarily through ingestion and entanglement.
Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic present with their natural food. Plastic bags, straws, and other debris can cause blockages in their digestive systems, leading to health issues and even death. Additionally, microplastics consumed by fish or other animals can enter the food chain and be ingested by turtles.
Entanglement is another significant risk, especially for young sea turtles. As they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, they can become entangled in plastic waste transported by those same currents. This can restrict their movement, impact their ability to feed, and make them more vulnerable to predation.
While climate change and plastic pollution are separate issues, they are interconnected in their impact on sea turtles. Rising temperatures due to climate change have already led to a feminization of sea turtle populations in some regions. Warmer temperatures influence the sex of green turtle hatchlings, resulting in a higher proportion of females. This skew in sex ratios could lead to unsustainable populations over time if there are not enough males to mate.
The combination of plastic pollution and climate change impacts threatens the survival of sea turtle populations. Efforts to address these issues include global movements to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic, as well as advocacy, research, and rehabilitation initiatives specifically focused on protecting sea turtles and their habitats.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic impacts turtles in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as plastic bags that resemble jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their food. Turtles also get entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can cause them to drown.
It is estimated that there are more than 15 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean, with at least 11 million metric tons of plastic pollution entering the ocean each year. This number is expected to triple by 2040 if no urgent action is taken to cut plastic production.
Plastic ingestion can cause blockages in turtles' intestines and even pierce their intestinal walls, causing internal bleeding. Plastic in a turtle's stomach can also imitate the sensation of being full, leading to starvation. In addition, the harmful decomposition of plastic inside a turtle's body can cause buoyancy disorders, making it difficult for the turtle to submerge and feed, and increasing its vulnerability to boat strikes and predation.
Turtles can get entangled in various plastic items, such as six-pack rings, discarded fishing gear, and plastic bags. Entanglement can weigh turtles down, making them unable to surface and leading to drowning. It can also increase their vulnerability to predators.
