Omar Khalid
Plastic is a growing threat to whales, killing them in increasing numbers. While it is difficult to know the exact number of whales killed by plastic, it is estimated that over 100,000 marine mammals die every year as a result of plastic pollution. Whales are dying from ingesting plastic, which blocks their breathing passages and stomachs, and from becoming entangled in plastic-based fishing gear, which can lead to drowning, starvation, or exhaustion. With more than 11 million metric tons of plastic flowing into the ocean each year, plastic pollution is a critical issue threatening whale populations and ocean health.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of whales that die from plastic pollution every year | 300,000 (including dolphins and porpoises) |
| Number of whales entangled in fishing gear in the US every year | 74 |
| Number of marine mammals that die from plastic pollution every year | 100,000 |
| Number of marine wildlife species that ingest plastic | 240+ |
| Number of sea turtle species affected by plastic pollution | 7 |
| Number of marine mammal species that have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Percentage of whale, dolphin, and porpoise species that have consumed plastic | 56% |
| Number of tons of plastic waste that enter the ocean every year | 14 million |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion causes whale deaths
Plastic ingestion is a leading cause of whale deaths. Plastic waste pollutes every corner of the ocean, threatening marine wildlife and ending up in the seafood we eat. Marine species often mistake plastic for food, choking on it and experiencing excruciating deaths when plastic blocks their breathing passages and stomachs. For example, a pregnant pygmy sperm whale was found stranded on a beach near Melbourne, with a stomach clogged with ingested plastic. Similarly, a sperm whale died due to inflammation of its abdominal tissues caused by nearly 30 kilograms of indigestible plastic, including shopping bags and fishing nets.
Whales are among the 240 species of marine life that ingest plastic. They feed on krill, which consumes plankton. As microplastics circulate with plankton through ocean water columns, whales accidentally consume an enormous amount of plastic. Over time, the plastic and any toxic chemicals within it build up in their systems in a process called bioaccumulation. As whales store nutrients in the fat on their bodies, they can be slowly poisoned by these chemicals.
The impact of plastic ingestion on whales is twofold. Firstly, it causes internal injuries and death. Secondly, it affects whale health, which is a critical indicator of ocean health. Whales play a vital role in marine ecosystems, providing critical fertilizer and combating climate disruption. Thus, the health of whale populations is intrinsically linked to the health of our oceans.
While it is challenging to determine the exact number of whales killed by plastic pollution annually, it is evident that plastic ingestion is a significant contributor to whale deaths. This issue underscores the urgent need for a global response to prevent and control plastic pollution, such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, which aims to address the problem of abandoned fishing gear in our oceans.
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Entanglement in plastic fishing gear
Marine plastic pollution is a significant threat to whales, and one of the most damaging types is abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost gear". This gear, which makes up about 10% of ocean plastic pollution, includes plastic-based fishing nets and ropes. The durability of plastics used in fishing gear means that they can take hundreds of years to break down in marine environments, and during this time, they can cause immense harm to marine life.
Whales are among the marine species most affected by entanglement in plastic fishing gear. They can become entangled in the fine mesh of nets, which restricts their movement and causes mild to severe injuries. If not freed, they may drown or suffocate. Globally, entanglement in fishing gear is a primary source of mortality for baleen whales, and it is often cited in mortality studies.
The issue of whale entanglement in plastic fishing gear is a global one. Whale entanglements have been observed in locations such as the Strait of Gibraltar, the Antarctic Peninsula, and near Palmer Station, Antarctica. In the mid-1990s, a Large Whale Entanglement Response Network was authorized in the United States to address this issue, and other countries like Mexico have since established their own response teams.
Disentanglement efforts provide valuable information to guide gear modifications and management strategies. Trained responders work together with various partners, including state and federal agencies, law enforcement, non-governmental organizations, and fishermen, to safely free entangled whales and other marine animals. These efforts are crucial for mitigating the harmful impacts of plastic fishing gear on whale populations.
While entanglement in plastic fishing gear poses a significant risk to whales, it is important to note that plastic pollution also harms whales through ingestion. Microplastics, which are formed when larger plastics break down, circulate with plankton, the main food source of baleen whales like humpback and blue whales. As a result, these whales inadvertently consume large amounts of plastic, leading to internal injuries and death. Additionally, the toxic chemicals in plastics can build up in the blubber of whales, causing slow poisoning.
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Plastic pollution in whale habitats
Marine plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to whale habitats and the marine mammals themselves. With over 11 million metric tons of plastic flowing into the ocean each year, plastic waste pollutes every corner of the ocean, from local beaches to remote tropical islands and polar regions. This pollution is largely generated by land-based activities, with an estimated 80% of marine pollution stemming from sources such as discarded garbage, abandoned fishing gear, and plastic-based fishing nets and ropes.
Whales, being marine giants, are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution. They ingest plastic debris, mistaking it for food, which can lead to excruciating deaths as the plastic blocks their breathing passages and stomachs. Additionally, they can become entangled in plastic nets and lines, resulting in slow and painful deaths through suffocation, starvation, or exhaustion. It is estimated that 56% of whale species have consumed plastic, and over 240 wildlife species, including whales, are known to have ingested plastic.
The impact of plastic pollution on whales goes beyond the immediate dangers of ingestion and entanglement. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, can be ingested by small fish and then consumed by larger animals, including whales. This leads to a process called bioaccumulation, where toxic chemicals build up in the systems of these larger animals. Whales store nutrients in their blubber, and the accumulation of toxic chemicals over time can result in slow poisoning.
Additionally, plastic pollution degrades whale habitats by damaging coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other marine ecosystems. This degradation reduces the availability of food and shelter for whales, making their survival more challenging. The presence of plastic pollution in whale habitats also poses dangers to navigation, as whales can become more vulnerable to collisions with ships or boats, especially when their movement is impaired by entanglement or ingestion of plastic.
The issue of plastic pollution in whale habitats calls for a united global response. Initiatives such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) aim to address the problem of abandoned fishing gear, which accounts for about 10% of ocean plastic pollution. By joining the GGGI, countries can access technical support to tackle ghost gear in their fisheries and contribute to collective efforts to protect whale habitats and the health of these majestic creatures.
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Plastic's toxic chemical impact on whales
Plastic pollution is a growing problem that is threatening marine life, including whales. It is estimated that over 5 million tons of plastic are currently in the ocean, with more than 11 million metric tons flowing into the ocean each year. This plastic pollution does not only clutter beaches and collect in gyres, but also affects marine life, from zooplankton to whales, both in their environment and inside their bodies.
Whales are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution due to their position at the top of the marine food chain. As smaller organisms feed on microplastics, toxins are absorbed into their organic tissue. These toxins then move up the food chain, ultimately contaminating whales. Whales store nutrients in the fat on their bodies (blubber), and can be slowly poisoned by these chemicals over time. This process is known as bioaccumulation.
In addition, whales can become physically entangled in plastic, such as fishing nets and ropes. This entanglement can cause surface injuries, as well as extreme energy exertion, which can sometimes be lethal. It is estimated that 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die each year due to entanglement in plastic.
The impact of plastic pollution on whales is not fully understood, and the degree of uncertainty surrounding its cumulative impact on marine ecosystems is a chief concern. However, it is clear that plastic pollution is a significant threat to whale populations and the health of the oceans.
To address this issue, a united global response is needed to prevent and control plastic pollution. This includes reducing the use of plastics, especially single-use plastics, and supporting initiatives such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) that aim to prevent the loss of fishing gear and mitigate the impact of plastic pollution on marine life.
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Global efforts to reduce plastic pollution
While plastic pollution poses a significant threat to whales and other marine life, various global efforts are underway to address this pressing issue. Here are some key initiatives and strategies aimed at reducing plastic pollution and its impact on the world's oceans and their inhabitants:
Global Initiatives and Agreements
The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is a notable international effort specifically targeting the issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear, which accounts for about 10% of ocean plastic pollution. The GGGI is a cross-sectoral alliance of 100 organizations that provides critical technical support to countries to address this issue in their fisheries. Countries that join the GGGI can access this support and contribute to collective action against ghost gear.
The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative is another important global effort. This initiative recognizes the tourism industry's contribution to plastic waste and aims to ensure that businesses, governments, and stakeholders take responsibility and work towards reducing plastic pollution. The goal is to have concrete agreements and terms in place by 2025.
Regional and National Efforts
At a regional level, the European Union (EU) has implemented the Circular Economy Action Plan, which includes the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy. This strategy aims to strengthen recycling regulations and adopt a more science-based approach to legislation.
On a national level, several countries have taken decisive action to ban or restrict single-use plastic products. India, the second most populated country globally, has enforced a ban on single-use plastic items such as straws, cutlery, earbuds, and plastic sticks. Guatemala has also banned single-use plastics, giving its citizens a two-year deadline to transition to alternatives. Bangladesh was one of the first countries to ban plastic bags, and 77 other countries have followed suit, with 32 imposing taxes or restrictions on plastic bags.
Individual Actions and Awareness
Reducing plastic pollution also requires individual action and awareness. People are encouraged to reduce their plastic consumption, borrow or reuse items instead of buying new ones, and recycle when possible. While recycling alone cannot solve the plastics crisis, it remains an important part of reducing our plastic waste footprint. Educating oneself about plastic pollution and supporting initiatives, petitions, and organizations dedicated to this cause are other ways individuals can contribute to the global effort.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste kills whales in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Marine species often mistake plastic for food, which blocks their breathing passages and stomachs, causing internal injuries and death. Abandoned fishing gear can also entrap unwitting marine animals, causing them to drown.
It is estimated that over 5 million tons of plastic are in the ocean today. Every year, more than 11 million metric tons of plastic flow into the ocean.
Eighty per cent of marine pollution is generated by land-based activities. Plastic pollution in the ocean also comes from boats, weather events, and the fishing industry.
Individuals can do their part by reducing plastic consumption, recycling, and participating in beach or community cleanups. Governments can also take action by signing on to initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and implementing best practices for fishing gear management.
While the exact number is unknown, it is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. The International Marine Mammal Project (IMMP) reports that plastic pollution and fishing gear kill more than 300,000 dolphins, porpoises, and small whales annually.
