Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life, including whales. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of whale deaths caused by plastic annually, it is evident that plastic pollution plays a detrimental role in the decline of whale populations. The impact of plastic on whales can be through ingestion or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear, with both consequences proving fatal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of whales that die from plastic annually | It is difficult to know the exact number. However, it has been estimated that 100,000 marine mammals die every year from plastic pollution. |
| Number of whale species impacted by plastic | 56% of the planet's whale species have consumed plastic. 81 out of 123 marine mammal species are known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic. |
| Types of plastic that harm whales | Plastic debris, microplastics, plastic bags, plastic packaging, plastic fishing nets, and plastic fishing gear. |
| How plastic harms whales | Ingestion, entanglement, gastric obstruction, bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, hormone and nervous system damage. |
| Impact of plastic on other marine life | Dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, fish, and other marine animals are also harmed by plastic. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Marine animals, including whales, are negatively impacted by pollution. Over 240 species of marine life consume plastic, and even more are threatened by entanglement in fishing nets and ropes. According to the WWF, about 10% of the world's ocean plastic pollution is made up of plastic-based fishing nets and ropes, and every year, 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises get entangled and die slow, painful deaths.
Whales ingest plastic in larger quantities than previously thought, and nearly all of it comes from their prey rather than from the seawater they take in when feeding. Baleen whales, such as humpback and blue whales, feed on krill and accidentally consume enormous amounts of plastic. A single blue whale can ingest up to 10 million pieces of microplastic in a day, while a humpback whale can ingest 200,000 pieces if it feeds primarily on fish, and 1 million pieces if it feeds on krill.
The ingestion of plastic can lead to gastric obstructions, starvation, and nutrient deprivation. It can also cause toxic chemicals to build up in the systems of whales through a process called bioaccumulation. These chemicals can slowly poison the whales, as they store nutrients in the fat on their bodies (blubber). In some cases, plastic can block the breathing passages and stomachs of whales, leading to excruciating deaths.
There have been several reported cases of whales dying with large amounts of plastic in their stomachs. In March 2019, a dead whale washed up in the Philippines with 40kg of plastic bags, including 16 rice sacks and multiple shopping bags. In April 2019, a male sperm whale beached off the coast of Spain with 64 pounds of trash bags and garbage in its digestive system. In June 2018, a pilot whale died in Thailand after swallowing 80 plastic bags. These incidents highlight the deadly impact of plastic pollution on whales and the urgent need to address this global issue.
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Plastic entanglement
Smaller marine animals, such as sea turtles, seals, and smaller whales, may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear. Larger whales, while not at immediate risk of drowning, face dangers such as exhaustion and infection. Entanglement is considered a leading cause of human-induced mortality in many whale species, particularly right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.
The impact of plastic entanglement extends beyond the direct harm caused to entangled whales. It also affects the health of marine ecosystems as a whole. Whales play a crucial role in maintaining healthy oceans, and their presence helps combat climate disruption. By storing nutrients in their blubber, whales transport vital nutrients across vast distances, providing critical fertilizer for marine ecosystems.
The process of rescuing entangled whales is complex and dangerous for both the whales and their rescuers. Specialized responders authorized by organizations like NOAA Fisheries employ techniques such as satellite tracking and "kegging," a method adapted from traditional whaling practices, to safely approach and disentangle the affected whales.
To address the issue of plastic entanglement, global efforts are being made to prevent plastic pollution from entering the oceans. Initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) aim to reduce the impact of ghost gear through best management practices for fishing gear and international collaboration. Additionally, researchers are developing new fishing technologies, such as ropeless traps, to minimize the risk of entanglement for whales and other marine life.
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Plastic toxicity
Plastic pollution is a growing concern for marine life, with whales being among the most affected species. While the exact number of whale deaths caused by plastic annually is unknown, it is clear that plastic pollution is a significant contributor to the decline of whale populations.
Whales are vulnerable to the toxic effects of plastic pollution in various ways. Firstly, they can become entangled in plastic debris, particularly abandoned fishing nets and lines, which can lead to slow and painful deaths through suffocation, starvation, or exhaustion. This issue is not unique to whales, as dolphins and porpoises also fall victim to entanglement in plastic fishing gear.
Secondly, whales ingest plastic, mistaking it for food. Plastic bags, for example, can resemble squid or other prey, leading whales to consume them inadvertently. This ingestion of plastic can cause gastric obstructions, blocking the breathing passages and stomachs of whales, resulting in excruciating deaths. The problem of ingestion is not limited to whales, as dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, and fish also ingest plastic, suffering similar fatal consequences.
The impact of plastic ingestion goes beyond immediate gastric obstructions. Plastics contain toxic chemicals, such as phthalates, flame retardants, and heavy metals, which can accumulate in the bodies of whales over time. These toxic chemicals can be released from the plastic and absorbed into the whale's system, leading to bioaccumulation. As whales store nutrients in their blubber, these toxic chemicals build up and can slowly poison the whales.
Additionally, microplastics contribute to the toxicity of plastic pollution. Sunlight breaks down plastics into microplastics, which circulate in the ocean and are consumed by plankton, the main food source of krill. Baleen whales, such as humpback and blue whales, feed on krill, resulting in the accidental consumption of a significant amount of microplastics. These microplastics can carry toxic chemicals, further exacerbating the health risks for whales.
The toxic effects of plastic pollution on whales highlight the urgent need for global action to address this issue. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution, improve recycling methods, and transition to safer alternatives are crucial to protecting whale populations and the health of our oceans.
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Human impact on whales
Humans have a detrimental impact on whales, with plastic pollution, boat traffic, ocean acidification, and rising ocean temperatures all negatively affecting whale populations. The impact of plastic pollution on whales is twofold: whales ingest plastic, and they also become entangled in discarded plastic fishing nets and lines.
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to whales, with microplastics entering the ocean food chain and accumulating in the bodies of whales. Analysis of blue whale feeding behaviour shows that a single whale can accidentally consume up to 10 million pieces of microplastic in one day. These microplastics can cause gastric obstructions, starvation, and nutrient deprivation. A stranded whale was found to have ingested 135 items, mostly plastic bags, which can be mistaken for squid. Flexible plastic, such as bags, is responsible for the largest proportion of deaths from debris.
In addition to ingestion, whales also become entangled in discarded fishing nets and lines, leading to slow and painful deaths through suffocation, starvation, or exhaustion. About 10% of ocean plastic pollution is made up of plastic-based fishing gear, and 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises become entangled in these nets annually. This abandoned gear, known as "'ghost gear,'" continues to trap marine animals and decimate food resources and endangered species.
Beyond plastic pollution, human activities such as commercial shipping, whaling, and ocean acidification also impact whale populations. Whale populations are affected by stress caused by noise pollution from commercial shipping, and boat traffic disrupts their migration routes and feeding grounds. Whaling practices, including hunting and scientific whaling, directly contribute to whale deaths, with at least 70 whales killed annually by human causes. Climate change further exacerbates the problem, with rising ocean temperatures and ocean acidification disrupting marine ecosystems.
The decline in whale populations has economic and environmental consequences. Whale-watching is a multimillion-dollar industry, employing thousands of workers and attracting ecotourists. From an environmental perspective, whales play a vital role in maintaining the balance of the ocean's food chain, preventing the domination of weaker marine life by other species. They also contribute to climate regulation by providing critical fertilizer for marine ecosystems.
To address the human impact on whales, several measures have been proposed, including halting commercial whaling, protecting migration routes and feeding spots, establishing sanctuaries, and eradicating single-use plastics. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) aims to address the issue of abandoned fishing gear by providing technical support and best management practices to countries. While some progress has been made, with over 50 nations banning plastic bags, the crisis facing whale populations underscores the urgent need for global action to protect these majestic creatures.
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Global initiatives to reduce plastic pollution
While it is difficult to determine exactly how many whales die from plastic annually, plastic pollution is a significant threat to whales and other marine life. Plastic ingestion and entanglement in plastic fishing gear are the two primary ways in which plastic harms whales. Marine species often mistake plastics for food, leading to gastric obstructions and other health issues. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, known as "ghost gear," is another major issue, entrapping and killing whales and other marine animals.
Recognizing the urgent need to address plastic pollution, several global initiatives have been implemented to reduce its impact:
- United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) Global Treaty: In March 2022, the UNEA agreed to negotiate a global treaty to end plastic pollution by 2025. This treaty aims to reduce plastic pollution and transition to a circular economy, with the US and other world leaders playing a crucial role.
- Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI): The GGGI is a global alliance of 100 organizations, including WWF, that focuses on addressing the issue of ghost gear in national fisheries. By joining the GGGI, countries gain access to technical support and contribute to collective efforts to tackle ghost gear worldwide.
- Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty: WWF is mobilizing companies to support policy solutions through the Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty. They have developed the "Blueprint for Credible Action on Plastic Pollution," a step-by-step guide to help companies initiate or expand their strategies to address plastic pollution effectively.
- Cap Cetacés Research Project: WWF France launched this project in 2000 to study the impact of microplastics on cetaceans in the Mediterranean Sea. By analyzing traces of plastic in whales, scientists aim to understand the strain of pollution on marine species and find solutions.
- European Union's Strategy: In 2018, the EU announced its first Europe-wide strategy to reduce plastic consumption and pollution. This includes a ban on single-use plastics, the development of a reuse system, and the promotion of a market for recycled plastics. The EU aims to create a circular economy for plastics while also combating marine litter.
- Local Government Initiatives: Various cities and countries are implementing initiatives to reduce plastic waste. This includes plastic bag bans, recycled plastic roads, and the elimination of Styrofoam. These local efforts contribute to the global fight against plastic pollution.
These initiatives demonstrate a global recognition of the plastic pollution crisis and the need for collective action. By reducing, reusing, and recycling plastic materials, we can work towards a future where plastic pollution no longer harms whales and other marine life.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know the exact number of whales that die from plastic annually, but it is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals every year.
Plastic ingestion can cause gastric obstructions and block the breathing passages and stomachs of whales, leading to excruciating deaths. It can also cause starvation, nutrient deprivation, and gastric obstruction.
Eighty per cent of marine pollution is generated by human land-based activities. Abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear," is one of the most damaging types of marine plastic pollution, accounting for about 10% of ocean plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution can lead to population collapses for endangered whale species. Whale species that rely on echolocation to find prey can be confused by unnatural objects, leading them to mistakenly ingest plastic.
Plastic pollution affects all kinds of marine life, including dolphins, sea turtles, seabirds, and fish. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic.
