Alexei Volkov
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to sea turtles. Sea turtles are impacted by plastic pollution at every stage of their lives, from crawling through plastic on their way to the ocean as hatchlings to ingesting plastic waste as adults. The ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, and even death. With an estimated 5-13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering our oceans annually and over 100 million marine animals dying each year due to marine debris, it is crucial to address the harmful effects of plastic on sea turtles and find solutions to reduce plastic pollution. This paragraph introduces the topic of 'how plastic is harming sea turtles' and highlights the urgent need for action to protect these ancient creatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of plastic bags used by Americans each year | 380 billion |
| Number of plastic bags used worldwide each year | 1 trillion |
| Number of marine animals killed each year due to plastic debris in the ocean | 1 million |
| Number of sea turtles that have ingested plastic | 52% of all sea turtles |
| Number of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear that died | 91% |
| Number of plastic particles estimated to be floating on the ocean's surface | 170 trillion |
| Number of plastic bags used by Australians each year | 130kg per person |
| Percentage of plastic packaging that is discarded after a single use | 95% |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for sea turtles. It can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, and create a false sense of fullness. Even if they survive, plastic ingestion can cause abnormal buoyancy, hindering growth and reproduction. Alarmingly, ingesting just a single plastic item can be fatal for sea turtles, with a reported 22% mortality rate. Scientists estimate that more than half of all sea turtles have consumed plastic, contributing to the broader issue of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a critical concern, with an estimated 5–13 million metric tons of plastic waste entering annually. This waste primarily originates from landfills and other urban sources, transported to the oceans via rivers. Once in the ocean, plastic degrades into microplastics, which can be consumed by fish and other animals. These microplastics then enter the food chain, posing risks to larger organisms like sea turtles.
To address this issue, individuals can reduce their use of single-use plastics, properly dispose of waste, and participate in clean-up initiatives. Additionally, governments and organisations are implementing measures to reduce plastic consumption and promote recycling. These collective efforts are crucial in mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic ingestion on sea turtles and other marine life.
While plastic is a relatively new threat to sea turtles, it is a significant one. The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for their health and survival, underscoring the urgent need to address plastic pollution in our oceans. By understanding the risks posed by plastic ingestion, individuals, communities, and governments can take proactive steps to protect sea turtles and ensure the health of our marine ecosystems.
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Entanglement in plastic
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles, with scientists only beginning to understand its impacts. Sea turtles come into contact with plastic debris at various stages of their life cycles and in a range of habitats, both near the coast and in the open ocean.
Sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste while migrating, feeding, or nesting. Young sea turtles are particularly at risk of entanglement as they spend their early years floating with ocean currents, living in flotsam and eating other organisms that float with the currents.
Plastic waste transported by ocean currents puts young sea turtles at higher risk of entanglement. However, sea turtles' developmental habitats are difficult to find and access, so little is known about how young turtles are impacted by plastic pollution.
Plastic packing straps, bags, balloons with strings, and sheeting are the most common items entangling marine animals. In one case, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found entangled in a plastic bag that had become filled with sand. The bag had wrapped around the animal's neck, and scientists believe it drowned due to the weight of the bag or suffocated from the entanglement.
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Plastic pollution in nesting areas
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles worldwide, and scientists are only beginning to understand its impacts. 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 swimming through it as adults. One of the main ways plastic harms sea turtles is through ingestion, as they mistake plastic for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or accidentally eat plastic that is present among their food. Researchers have also found that sea turtles are attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. As a result, it is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have ingested plastic, causing blockages within their digestive system and leading to death.
Another way plastic harms sea turtles is through entanglement in marine debris. This can include derelict fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear", which has been a particular problem on important nesting beaches for sea turtles. In one case, an effort removed approximately 90 tons of waste, primarily fishing gear, from Masirah Island, one of the most critical nesting sites for loggerhead turtles. Additionally, plastic waste on nesting beaches can affect sea turtle nests and hatchlings, as they crawl through the debris to find a place to nest and the tiny hatchlings can get caught in the plastic.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is exacerbated by the fact that plastics do not biodegrade but persist in the environment indefinitely, breaking down into microplastics that can be consumed by fish and other animals and then eaten by sea turtles. Most plastic waste reaches the oceans via rivers, and 80% originates from landfills and other urban sources. This waste tends to accumulate in gyres, such as the "Great Pacific Garbage Patch" in the North Pacific Gyre, which is estimated to contain 3.5 million tons of trash.
While plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, there are efforts underway globally to address this issue. Many organizations are working to remove plastic from sea turtle habitats and recycle it into new products, while also promoting conservation and local community development. Additionally, there is a growing movement of people, organizations, governments, and businesses taking action to reduce plastic pollution and implement measures to reduce plastic consumption, such as bans or taxes on plastic bags. These efforts give hope that we can protect sea turtles and ensure a brighter future for them and our oceans.
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Microplastics
Sea turtles are susceptible to microplastic inhalation as they are air breathers. Studies have shown that atmospheric deposition transports microplastic particles to the ocean surface air, making marine air breathers highly susceptible to microplastic inhalation.
Additionally, sea turtles can ingest microplastics by mistaking them for their natural food sources, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming them along with their natural food. This ingestion can lead to physical damage to their intestines, blockages, and a false sense of fullness, resulting in sickness or even death.
The impact of microplastics on sea turtles is a significant concern, and it is crucial to reduce plastic use and properly dispose of plastic waste to protect these ancient creatures from further harm.
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Human action to reduce plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a threat to sea turtles and other marine life. It is essential to address this issue through collective efforts at the individual, community, and governmental levels. Here are some key human actions that can help reduce plastic pollution and mitigate its harmful impact on sea turtles:
Reduce Single-Use Plastic Consumption
Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, and disposable utensils, are major contributors to plastic pollution. By reducing the use of these items, individuals can significantly decrease the amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean and harms sea turtles. Reusable alternatives, such as cloth bags, metal straws, and bamboo utensils, are more environmentally friendly options.
Properly Dispose of Waste
Proper waste disposal is crucial in preventing plastic pollution. Individuals should ensure that they dispose of plastic waste in appropriate bins and recycling containers. It is also important to pick up any loose plastic waste encountered, such as during beach visits or outdoor activities, to prevent it from entering the ocean.
Support Conservation Efforts
Organizations dedicated to sea turtle conservation are actively working to protect sea turtles and reduce plastic pollution. Supporting these organizations through donations, volunteering, or participating in their initiatives can make a significant impact. Efforts such as beach cleanups and advocacy campaigns help create systemic change and protect sea turtle habitats.
Advocate for Policy Change
Governments and policymakers play a crucial role in addressing plastic pollution. Individuals can advocate for policy changes that reduce plastic consumption, improve waste management, and promote recycling initiatives. Writing to local representatives, signing petitions, and supporting environmental non-governmental organizations are ways to amplify these advocacy efforts.
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Adopting a circular economy approach to plastic use is essential. This involves reducing plastic consumption, reusing plastic items whenever possible, and recycling plastic waste responsibly. Individuals can borrow or rent items instead of purchasing new ones, choose products with minimal packaging, and learn about their local recycling guidelines to ensure proper disposal of plastics.
By taking these human actions to reduce plastic pollution, we can help protect sea turtles and preserve the health of our oceans and ecosystems for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic harms sea turtles in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food, such as crustaceans. Plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.
It is estimated that there are currently 100 million tons of plastic in the oceans worldwide. Between 5 and 13 million metric tons of plastic waste are estimated to enter our oceans annually, which is equal to dumping a garbage truck full of plastic every minute.
Eighty percent of plastic debris comes from land. It gets picked up by the wind or washes out to sea from beaches, streets, and highways. It flows out through storm drains into streams and rivers.
Individuals can reduce their use of single-use plastics, properly dispose of their waste, and pick up any loose plastic waste they come across. Governments can also implement bans or taxes on plastic bags, as has been done in Ireland, China, Canada, Australia, the U.S., and Europe.
Individuals can invest in reusable containers, bring their own cutlery, and pick up trash when they see it. They can also avoid using disposable plastics, never litter, and recycle as much as possible.
