Chloe Zhang
Plastic pollution has emerged as a pressing issue, threatening marine life and ecosystems. Sharks, in particular, are vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic waste. From entanglement in discarded fishing gear to the ingestion of microplastics, the impact of plastic pollution on sharks is multifaceted and detrimental. While the exact number of shark deaths attributable to plastic is unknown, it is clear that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to their survival. This paragraph will explore the various ways in which sharks are impacted by plastic pollution and the potential consequences for their populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How microplastics are formed | weathering of larger plastics, intentionally created as raw materials, used in cosmetics, personal care products, and synthetic clothing |
| How sharks ingest microplastics | direct ingestion (mistaking microplastics for plankton or algae), indirect ingestion (eating fish that have consumed microplastics) |
| Impact of microplastics on sharks | accumulation in the body over time, starvation due to ingested plastic taking up space in the stomach, injuries to the stomach and intestinal mucosa, clogging of the digestive system, entanglement in plastic waste leading to wounds and infections, bioaccumulation of toxins |
| Recorded instances of shark deaths from plastic | entanglement in drifting nets or plastic waste, ingestion of plastic contributing to global decline in fish populations |
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What You'll Learn
Sharks mistake microplastics for food
Sharks are apex predators that play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. However, their position at the top of the food chain makes them particularly vulnerable to the presence of microplastics in the ocean. Microplastics are tiny fragments of plastic, measuring less than 5 millimetres in size, that have become a significant source of pollution in our oceans.
Sharks often mistake microplastics for food due to their small size and resemblance to plankton and algae, which are part of their natural diet. This mistake can have detrimental consequences for their health and well-being. Direct ingestion of microplastics occurs when filter-feeding shark species, such as whale sharks, accidentally consume these tiny plastic particles along with their regular food. Whale sharks, for example, can swallow hundreds of microplastics in just one hour of feeding.
Indirect ingestion is another pathway through which sharks accumulate microplastics in their bodies. As apex predators, sharks feed on a variety of fish in the ocean. These prey fish may have already ingested microplastics, which then pass up the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of sharks. Demersal sharks, which dwell close to the ocean floor, may also ingest microplastics directly from the sediment, further contributing to the indirect ingestion of microplastics.
The ingestion of microplastics can lead to severe health issues for sharks. These particles can remain undigested in their stomachs for extended periods, causing injuries to the stomach and intestinal lining. Additionally, microplastics can clog their digestive system, leading to starvation and even death. The presence of microplastics in their bodies can also affect their behaviour and overall well-being, contributing to the global decline in shark populations.
While entanglement in plastic waste and fishing gear is another significant threat to sharks, with hundreds of recorded instances of shark deaths from these entanglements, the ingestion of microplastics poses a quieter but no less deadly danger. It highlights the urgent need to address plastic pollution and reduce the presence of microplastics in our oceans to protect shark populations and the health of marine ecosystems.
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Plastic waste entanglement
Sharks, as top marine predators, are particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by plastic waste. They are often found with high quantities of plastic in their bodies due to their long lifespans, slow growth and reproduction rates, and position at the top of the food chain. While plastic ingestion is a well-known issue, plastic waste entanglement is another critical aspect of plastic pollution that endangers sharks.
Sharks can become entangled in various types of plastic waste, but discarded or lost fishing gear, such as nets and ropes, is the most common cause of entanglement. As they continue to grow, the plastic can constrict their bodies, causing severe trauma and abnormal anatomical development. For example, a shortfin mako shark was observed with a fishing rope tightly wrapped around it, resulting in scoliosis of the spine.
The true extent of plastic entanglement among sharks is likely underestimated due to limited focused studies. However, existing research has identified more than 1,000 individual cases of entanglement, spanning 34 species in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. This number is expected to be much higher, as entanglement cases often go unreported or unnoticed.
The impact of plastic waste entanglement on sharks is not just physical but also inflicts pain, suffering, and even death. While commercial fishing poses a more significant direct threat to shark populations, entanglement in plastic waste raises serious animal welfare concerns. The removal of plastic straps from entangled sharks may also not always be effective, as it can lead to post-release mortality.
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Ingesting plastic harms sharks' digestive systems
Sharks can ingest plastic directly or indirectly. Direct ingestion occurs when sharks mistake microplastics for plankton or algae, their natural food sources. For example, a whale shark can accidentally swallow hundreds of microplastic particles in just an hour. Demersal sharks, which dwell near the ocean floor, may also ingest microplastics from seafloor sediments.
Indirect ingestion happens when sharks consume other fish that have already accumulated microplastics in their bodies. As top predators, sharks feed on a variety of fish in the ocean, making them susceptible to consuming microplastics indirectly.
The ingested plastic can remain in a shark's stomach for an extended period, causing severe injuries to the stomach and intestinal lining through abrasion. Additionally, plastic waste can clog up the digestive system, leading to starvation. Nanoplastics, an even smaller form of microplastics, can pass from the stomach and intestines into the bloodstream, accumulating in various organs and cells, although their long-term effects are still unknown.
Sharks are long-lived species with slow growth and reproduction rates, allowing microplastics to accumulate in their bodies over time. Studies have shown that shark species have some of the highest quantities of microplastics in their bodies. The impact of plastic pollution on sharks is significant, contributing to the decline in their populations.
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Plastic pollution in oceans
Plastic in oceans comes from thousands of sources worldwide, with rivers being the primary contributors. Other significant sources include fishing gear, such as buoys, nets, and crates, which account for about 80% of plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Improper waste management, increasing consumption, and a lack of adequate waste management systems in many countries have exacerbated the problem.
The presence of plastic in the oceans has severe consequences for marine life, including sharks. While the specific impact on sharks is understudied, there is evidence that they ingest microplastics, which can have detrimental effects on their health and behaviour. Sharks may directly ingest microplastics that resemble plankton or algae, or they may indirectly consume them by eating other fish that have accumulated microplastics. The long lifespan and slow growth rates of sharks allow microplastics to accumulate in their bodies over extended periods.
Additionally, sharks and other marine animals face the risk of entanglement in plastic waste, particularly discarded fishing gear. While this may not result in immediate death, it can cause severe wounds, infections, and long-term suffering. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond sharks, with studies indicating that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and plastic ingestion is also common in seabirds and marine mammals.
Addressing this crisis requires systemic change, with governments, industries, and individuals all playing a role. Reducing plastic consumption, improving waste management practices, and transitioning to more sustainable alternatives are crucial steps towards mitigating the plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Microplastics enter sharks' bodies through two pathways
Indirect ingestion occurs when sharks consume other fish that have microplastics in their systems. As apex predators, sharks feed on a variety of fish in the ocean, and these fish may have ingested microplastics themselves. By consuming these fish, sharks indirectly consume the microplastics present in their prey. This is known as bioaccumulation, where toxins or pollutants accumulate in the bodies of organisms at higher trophic levels in the food chain.
In addition to these two pathways, it is important to note that microplastics can enter the ocean through various sources, such as the breakdown of larger plastics, intentional creation as raw materials, or the use of microbeads in personal care products. These microplastics can then be ingested by sharks, leading to potential health risks. Sharks have long lifespans and slow reproduction rates, which allows for the accumulation of microplastics in their bodies over time.
While the direct and indirect ingestion of microplastics by sharks is a significant concern, it is important to acknowledge that plastic pollution also poses other threats to shark welfare. Sharks can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to injuries, infections, and even death. Additionally, plastic pollution can have broader ecological impacts, disrupting the marine ecosystem and affecting the balance of various species populations, including sharks.
Overall, the presence of microplastics in the ocean and their ingestion by sharks through direct and indirect pathways highlights the need for further research and efforts to reduce plastic pollution to protect these marine organisms.
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Frequently asked questions
Sharks accumulate microplastics in their bodies through two primary pathways: direct and indirect ingestion. Direct ingestion occurs when shark species that filter-feed consume microplastics directly from the seawater, mistaking them for plankton or algae. Indirect ingestion occurs when sharks consume other fish that have microplastics in their systems.
Plastic waste can cause severe injuries to sharks' stomachs and intestinal mucosa through chafing. It can also clog up their digestive systems, leading to starvation. Nanoplastics, in particular, are dangerous as they can enter the bloodstream and accumulate in various organs or even cells. The long-term effects of nanoplastics are still unknown.
Sharks can get entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to wounds, infections, and even suffocation. They may also become unable to feed or more vulnerable to predators due to their disability.
Reducing plastic waste and pollution is crucial. This can be achieved through personal choices, such as using reusable instead of disposable products and avoiding products containing microplastics. Additionally, companies must phase out products containing microplastics and rethink their plastic production processes.
