Maya Ellison
Sea turtles have existed for around 110 million years, but all species of sea turtles are now endangered due to human activities. Plastic pollution is a complex but urgent threat facing sea turtles and the entire marine ecosystem. It is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, and around 1,000 sea turtles die annually from ingesting plastic. Turtles are attracted to the smell of marine plastics and the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. Plastic ingestion can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick turtles into feeling full when they are not, resulting in starvation. In addition, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim and surface for air, and cause drowning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of sea turtles dying annually from ingesting plastic | 1,000 |
| Chance of a turtle dying from ingesting one plastic item | 22% |
| Number of plastic items that increase the mortality rate to 50% | 14 |
| Number of plastic items that cause imminent death | 200 |
| Percentage of sea turtles with plastic in their guts | 52% |
| Percentage of post-hatchling turtles with plastic inside them | 54% |
| Percentage of juvenile turtles with plastic inside them | 23% |
| Percentage of adult turtles with plastic inside them | 16% |
| Percentage of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear that died | 91% |
| Number of marine experts surveyed who claimed to have directly witnessed the death of turtles due to plastics | 84 out of 106 |
| Number of tonnes of plastic entering the ocean each year | 12.7 million |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion rates
Plastic ingestion is a serious threat to all seven species of marine turtles. The rate of ingestion varies depending on the turtle's life stage and location. Post-hatchling and juvenile turtles have been found to ingest plastic at higher rates than adult turtles, with 54% of post-hatchlings and 23% of juveniles ingesting plastic compared to 16% of adults. This is likely due to younger turtles feeding nearer the surface and in coastal environments where debris accumulates. Pelagic juveniles caught in longline fisheries have also shown relatively high rates of plastic ingestion, with between 24 and 39 pieces of plastic found in the guts of drowned turtles.
The rate of plastic ingestion also depends on the characteristics of the plastic. Turtles are more likely to ingest plastic that physically resembles their natural food. For example, plastic debris that looks like jellyfish, a common food source for turtles, is more likely to be ingested. This means that the ingestion rate of certain plastics may be higher than others, depending on their shape and colour.
Plastic ingestion can have a range of effects on turtles, from benign responses where the plastic simply passes through the gastrointestinal tract, to lethal effects caused by gut impaction or perforation. The likelihood of death increases with the number of plastic pieces ingested. Researchers have found a 50% probability of mortality once a turtle has ingested 14 pieces of plastic, and a 22% chance of dying from ingesting just one plastic item.
While the exact mechanism is unclear, it is suspected that plastic ingestion causes mortality through obstruction, laceration, or perforation of the gastrointestinal tract. The ingestion of microplastics, or plastics smaller than 5mm, may also be a contributing factor. Microplastics can pass through the gastrointestinal tract and accumulate in the body, leading to potential toxic effects over time.
It is important to note that plastic ingestion rates in non-marine turtles are relatively understudied. While plastic ingestion has been reported in 5 out of 352 non-marine turtle species, the potential threat to these species is not well understood. More research is needed to determine the true impact of plastic ingestion on non-marine turtles.
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Entanglement in fishing gear
Sea turtles are one of the oldest species on the planet, having been in existence for around 110 million years. However, due to human activities, they now face the threat of extinction. One of the primary dangers they face is plastic pollution in the oceans. Plastic pollution in the oceans has increased substantially over the last century, with up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year. This has had a devastating impact on sea turtles, with hundreds of turtles dying every year after becoming entangled in plastic waste.
Sea turtles can become entangled in discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear", while they are migrating, feeding, or nesting. This gear includes fishing nets, ropes, lines, and other equipment that has been lost or discarded by the fishing industry. The use of synthetic plastic materials, such as nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene, which do not biodegrade in water, has made this problem even more severe. As a result, entanglement in fishing gear has become a significant threat to sea turtle populations.
Smaller sea turtles, such as hatchlings and young turtles, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear. Their small size and tendency to drift with ocean currents make them more likely to come into contact with floating debris. According to research by the University of Exeter, 91% of entangled turtles were found dead, with the remaining suffering from serious injuries, such as wounds, maiming, or amputation. In some cases, turtles that survive entanglement are forced to drag discarded rubbish or debris with them, hindering their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed.
The impact of entanglement in fishing gear on sea turtles is not limited to physical injuries. The restriction caused by entanglement can also lead to constriction and shell growth issues. Additionally, entanglement can cause drowning and death by hindering the turtle's ability to surface for air. The threat posed by entanglement in fishing gear is further exacerbated by the fact that it is an under-reported and under-researched issue.
To address this issue, organizations like NOAA Fisheries and its partners work to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They coordinate with network partners to capture and disentangle turtles, with specifically trained members for safe capture, restraint, and removal of gear. Additionally, they work with various partners to minimize entanglements and use the information gathered from each successful disentanglement to guide gear modifications and management strategies.
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Human impact on turtles
Humans have a direct and detrimental impact on turtles, causing a decline in their populations worldwide. Sea turtles are an ancient species that have existed for around 110 million years, but today, all turtles are endangered due to human activities.
One of the most significant ways humans impact turtles is through plastic pollution. Each year, about 12.7 million tons of plastic enter our oceans, with plastics comprising up to 90% of marine trash. Turtles ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, and this can cause physical damage to their intestines, blockages, and even death. Researchers estimate that around 1,000 sea turtles die annually from ingesting plastic. A study by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying from ingesting one plastic item, and this risk increased dramatically with the consumption of more plastic. The presence of plastic in the ocean also leads to entanglement, which can cause injuries, hinder swimming and feeding abilities, and even lead to drowning.
Climate change, driven by human activities, poses another significant threat to turtles. Rising temperatures cause an imbalance in the gender ratio of hatchlings, with a higher proportion of females to males. Sea-level rise due to melting ice and warming oceans can result in a significant loss of beach nesting habitats. Changes in ocean currents, which turtles rely on for migration, can force turtles to alter their movements and nesting timing. Additionally, severe storms, such as hurricanes and tropical cyclones, can increase beach erosion rates, further endangering nesting habitats.
Human activities along coastlines also introduce invasive species, which become predators of sea turtles and their eggs. Urban development and beach recreation can disturb nesting females, causing them to stop nesting and return to the ocean. Beach furniture and driving on beaches can entrap and crush hatchlings, increasing their vulnerability to predators.
Other human-induced threats include water pollution from wastewater discharge, agricultural runoff, and oil spills, which contaminate the food chain and can lead to diseases in turtles, such as fibropapillomatosis, causing tumors. Additionally, boats in shallow waters pose a collision risk to turtles, especially juveniles, leading to injuries and impairing their ability to feed and evade predators.
Addressing these human-induced impacts on turtles requires a combination of individual action, government intervention, and global cooperation. Reducing plastic consumption, properly disposing of waste, supporting sustainable businesses, and participating in beach cleanups are essential steps toward protecting turtles and their ecosystems.
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How to help turtles
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to turtles, impacting their health, survival, and reproductive success. It affects turtles at every stage of their life, from hatchlings to adults. Turtles ingest plastic, confusing it for jellyfish, one of their staple foods, and get entangled in plastic debris, often resulting in death. It is estimated that over half of all sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a single piece of plastic has a 20% chance of killing them.
So, what can be done to help turtles? It is crucial to address the plastic pollution crisis through individual, corporate, and governmental actions. Here are some ways to help:
Individual Actions:
- Reduce Plastic Consumption: Avoid single-use plastics like plastic straws, bags, cutlery, and disposable cups. Opt for reusable alternatives instead.
- Choose Sustainable Products: Select products with minimal or recyclable packaging.
- Recycle Properly: Ensure to recycle all eligible plastic items correctly, being mindful that not all plastics are recyclable.
- Support Conservation Efforts: Participate in beach cleanups, volunteer for sea turtle conservation programs, and support organizations working to combat plastic pollution and create a market for recycled ocean plastic.
- Raise Awareness: Educate others about the impact of plastic on turtles and advocate for policies and laws that reduce plastic use and promote sustainability.
Corporate and Governmental Actions:
- Corporate Responsibility: Businesses should reduce plastic use, promote recycling, and hold corporations accountable for their plastic waste.
- Governmental Regulation: Governments should implement policies to reduce plastic production and consumption, improve waste management practices, promote recycling, and enforce corporate accountability.
By taking these actions, we can help protect turtles from the devastating effects of plastic pollution and ensure their survival for future generations.
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Global government action
Sea turtles have existed on Earth for around 110 million years, but due to human activities, all turtles are now endangered. Plastic pollution is a complex but urgent threat facing sea turtles and the entire marine ecosystem. It is estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, which can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, and cause them to feel full when they are not. In addition, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim, and, in severe cases, cause drowning and death.
To address the plastic pollution crisis, governments around the world need to take decisive action by introducing laws and legislation banning the production or heavily taxing single-use products. This includes implementing bans on plastic bags, creating comprehensive reuse systems, and establishing markets for recycled plastics. Governments can also provide incentives for businesses to switch to more sustainable packaging options and hold companies creating plastic waste responsible for reducing their plastic footprint.
At the state or country level, governing bodies are imposing bans and implementing recycling innovations. For example, the EU announced its first-ever Europe-wide strategy to curtail plastic consumption and pollution in 2018, with a ban on single-use plastics and the creation of a circular economy for plastics. In the United States, states like California and Colorado have passed laws to reduce plastic waste, and major companies are supporting collaborative efforts to address the issue.
To further reduce plastic pollution, the WWF is advocating for a robust and legally binding global treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2025. This includes targeting the root of the issue, which is a broken system, and advancing smart plastic policies that enable holistic system change. The WWF is also calling for federal agencies to use all existing authorities to reduce plastic waste and increase funding to address the issue. With concerted global action and a shift in attitudes towards plastic consumption, we can protect sea turtles and other vulnerable species from further destruction.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that around 1,000 turtles die from ingesting plastic every year.
Research has shown that a turtle has a 22% chance of dying from ingesting one plastic item. Once a turtle consumes 14 pieces of plastic, the mortality rate increases to 50%.
Plastic ingestion can cause physical damage to a turtle's intestines, lead to blockages, or trick the turtle into feeling full when it is not, which can cause the turtle to starve to death.
Turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim, surface for air, or feed, and, in severe cases, cause them to drown.
