Plastic's Deadly Impact On Fish: A Marine Crisis

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that is threatening marine life. Humans produce and use about 220 million tons of plastic annually, and the amount of plastic reaching waters globally continues to increase. While the estimates are incomplete, it is believed that at least 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic, including fish, mammals and sea birds.

Runoff from land is the number one source of oceanic pollution

It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic pollution, including fish, mammals and sea birds. The majority of fish consumed by humans (trout, perch, cisco, etc) will have ingested plastic and microfibers.

The amount of plastic reaching waters globally continues to increase, year by year, because there is no slowdown in our use of plastics. Whether it’s cigarette butts or plastic water bottles, the cycle continues unabated.

The most harm is done to life affected by the plastic. For example, sea turtles are constantly at risk because they tend to eat plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish. Plastic has no nutritional value, and it can easily get stuck inside a turtle’s sensitive digestive chambers.

Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, which is why turtles eat them

It is estimated that at least 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic pollution, including fish, mammals and sea birds. The oceans are vast, so the estimates are incomplete, but it is believed that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year by simply being near plastic waste.

Sea turtles have been around for over 100 million years, but they now face a new and devastating threat in the form of plastic pollution. Plastic bags floating in the water resemble jellyfish, one of their staple foods. The Leatherback species, for example, is a 'gelatinivore', meaning it feeds on invertebrates such as jellyfish. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that plastic bags can also smell like food to sea turtles. Microbes, algae, plants, and tiny animals start to colonise the plastic bags over time, creating a scent that attracts turtles and other marine animals. This instinctively guides them towards the plastic, which they believe is food.

Research suggests that 52% of the world's turtles have eaten plastic waste, mistaking it for jellyfish or algae. This is a serious issue, as ingesting just one plastic item can be fatal for turtles. Plastic has no nutritional value, and it can easily get stuck inside a turtle’s sensitive digestive chambers. Plastic bags that go in usually don’t come out. Ingesting plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. It can also imitate the sensation of being full, leading to starvation.

The amount of plastic reaching waters globally continues to increase, year by year, because there is no slowdown in our use of plastics. Humans produce and use about 220 million tons of plastic annually. Runoff from land is the number one source of oceanic pollution. While efforts are taken to reduce the impact of plastics somehow, what is clear is that we have no clear plan to take care of the plastic waste that we have already produced.

The probability of coral reefs dying when in contact with marine plastic goes from 4% to 89%

Coral reefs house 25% of all marine life known to man. When coral reefs come into contact with marine plastic, the probability of them dying goes from 4% to 89%. This is a shocking statistic that reveals the extent of the danger involved with plastics and our oceans.

The majority of fish consumed by humans (trout, perch, cisco, etc.) would have ingested plastic and microfibers. It was once believed that, due to the vast size of the ocean, we could dump waste without it having any impact. However, the increase in volumes, coupled with the way the gyres and currents move them, means that this is not the case.

The current estimated figure for how many marine animals die each year from plastic is 100 million, and this includes fish, mammals and sea birds. This figure is likely to be a conservative estimate, as the oceans are vast and it is difficult to count the number of deaths.

The amount of plastic reaching waters globally continues to increase, year by year, because there is no slowdown in our use of plastics. Humans produce and use about 220 million tons of plastic annually, and the world's production of plastic is estimated to be 300 million tons per year. While efforts are taken to reduce the impact of plastics, there is no clear plan to take care of the plastic waste that has already been produced.

The majority of fish consumed by humans would have ingested plastic and microfibers

It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic pollution, including fish, mammals and sea birds. The majority of fish consumed by humans, such as trout, perch and cisco, would have ingested plastic and microfibers. This is due to the increase in the volume of plastic in the ocean, which is not dispersed by currents as was previously believed.

Runoff from land is the number one source of oceanic pollution, and the amount of plastic reaching waters globally continues to increase year by year. Humans produce and use about 220 million tons of plastic annually, and there is no sign of a slowdown in our use of plastics.

The impact of plastic pollution is not limited to fish. Sea turtles, for example, are prone to eating plastic bags, which resemble jellyfish. Plastic has no nutritional value and can get stuck inside a turtle's digestive system. It is estimated that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year from plastic waste.

Sharks and small whales are also at risk from plastic pollution, as they can become trapped in fishing nets and discarded nets in the sea. While efforts are being made to reduce the impact of plastics, there is currently no clear plan to address the vast amount of plastic waste that has already been produced.

There is no clear plan to take care of the plastic waste we have already produced

It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic, including fish, mammals and sea birds. The probability of coral reefs dying when they come into contact with marine plastic increases from 4% to 89%. The majority of fish consumed by humans, such as trout, perch and cisco, would have ingested plastic and microfibers.

To tackle the challenge of plastic waste, a comprehensive strategy is needed at a national and international level. This includes improving recycling through innovation and creating a circular economy in which plastic resources are reused. New federal policies are essential to develop a path for valuable and highly efficient plastic materials to be reused again and again. For example, smart policies can accelerate a circular economy, helping make “single use” a relic of the past. Congress can help jumpstart circularity and bolster growing enterprises in both mechanical and advanced recycling of plastic.

Additionally, there is a need to bring together the plastic value chain and municipalities to develop a national recycling framework. This includes creating recycling standards that can provide more certainty for recycling markets. Engaging the National Academy of Sciences to conduct studies on the environmental and climate impacts of raw materials can also help guide future policies. Finally, establishing an American-designed producer responsibility system for packaging can increase recycling access, collection, and outreach for all materials, including plastic.

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