Deadly Plastic: Sea Animals' Mortality Crisis

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects marine life throughout the ocean. It is estimated that plastic waste kills up to a million seabirds a year, with 32% of seabirds having ingested plastic debris. This is not just an issue for seabirds, as plastic ingestion can also lead to starvation in sea turtles and contamination in dolphins through prey that have ingested plastic. Marine mammals, such as the endangered Steller sea lion, can also get entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury and mortality. With nearly 50% of ocean plastics coming from takeout, it is important to address the impact of plastic pollution on the marine ecosystem and the animals that call it home.

Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation

The impact of plastic ingestion on the storage volume of the stomach is significant. As plastic takes up space in the stomach, it reduces the amount of food that can be consumed. This leads to a decrease in the overall energy intake of the animal, which can result in starvation. In addition, plastic can also cause blockages in the digestive system, further contributing to malnutrition and starvation.

The problem of plastic ingestion is exacerbated by the fact that plastic does not biodegrade. Once ingested, plastic can remain in the animal's stomach for an extended period, continuously taking up space and causing harm. This is reflected in the high number of dead seabirds found with their stomachs full of plastic waste.

The impact of plastic ingestion on starvation is particularly evident in the case of sea turtles. Sea turtles often mistake plastic for their natural prey, such as jellyfish. When they ingest plastic, it can block their digestive system and lead to starvation. In addition, the presence of plastic in their stomachs can also cause them to feel full, reducing their food intake and contributing to malnutrition.

The issue of plastic ingestion and its impact on starvation is a pressing concern for marine life. With the amount of plastic in our oceans rapidly increasing, it is essential to address this problem to protect the health and survival of sea animals. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution and improve waste management practices are crucial to mitigating the harmful effects of plastic on marine ecosystems.

Plastic entanglement has led to injury and mortality in endangered Steller sea lions

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects a wide range of marine life, including seabirds, turtles, cetaceans, and marine mammals. While it is challenging to determine the exact percentage of sea animals that die from plastic, the impact is undoubtedly significant.

One specific example of the detrimental effects of plastic pollution is the endangered Steller sea lion. Steller sea lions are a protected species, and their entanglement in plastic debris has led to severe injuries and even mortality. Packing bands, commonly used to secure cardboard boxes, are the most frequent material found entangling these sea lions, slicing deep into their necks. In one instance, a large male Steller sea lion was spotted near San Juan Island with a plastic packing strap tightly wrapped around its neck. The situation was deemed life-threatening, necessitating a risky rescue mission involving multiple organisations, including The Whale Museum, SR3, and the SeaDoc Society. Twelve crew members, including wildlife veterinarians, successfully located and tranquilised the sea lion, removing the plastic strap and saving its life.

The issue of Steller sea lion entanglement is not isolated, with documented cases of entangled individuals of all ages and genders. The difficulty in assessing the mortality rate of entangled Steller sea lions is compounded by the fact that they often sink when they die at sea, resulting in fewer strandings on beaches. However, the impact of plastic pollution on this species is undeniable, highlighting the urgent need for preventative measures and increased awareness.

The Steller sea lion case exemplifies the broader threat plastic pollution poses to marine life. It is estimated that up to a million seabirds die each year from ingesting plastic, and the problem is projected to worsen, with 99% of seabird species predicted to have consumed plastic by 2050. Marine mammals, such as the critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, are also at risk, with their habitats contaminated by plastic debris.

The consequences of plastic pollution extend beyond the direct harm to individual animals. The ingestion of plastic reduces stomach volume, leading to starvation in seabirds and turtles. Additionally, the contamination of prey species, such as dolphins, through the ingestion of synthetic compounds further amplifies the impact on the marine food chain.

Plastic waste kills up to a million seabirds a year

Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, causing starvation. It’s estimated that 60 percent of all seabird species have eaten pieces of plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99 percent by 2050. Dead seabirds are often found with stomachs full of plastic, reflecting how the amount of garbage in our oceans has rapidly increased in the past 40 years. Marine mammals also ingest plastic and get tangled up in it.

In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds were found with plastic in their stomachs. Twenty years later, over 80% of birds had plastic in their stomachs. It is projected that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic. Plastic ingestion also affects juveniles that are too young to hunt on their own. Adult birds return to nests with plastic that they have mistaken for food. The chicks ingest the plastic and are less likely to survive to adulthood.

Global plastic pollution affects 690+ marine species according to the Marine Pollution Bulletin. This includes fish, seabirds, cetaceans, turtles, and many more. Research from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation shows only 14% of plastics get recycled. The rest ends up in landfill, is incinerated, or escapes beyond waste management as leakage. Human negligence has led to this situation, and by 2050, there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

Plastic pollution affects 690+ marine species

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects marine life and ecosystems in a variety of ways. According to the Marine Pollution Bulletin, plastic pollution impacts over 690 marine species, including fish, seabirds, cetaceans, turtles, and many more. This number is expected to rise as plastic pollution continues to increase.

One of the most significant impacts of plastic pollution on marine life is ingestion. When marine animals ingest plastic, it takes up space in their stomachs, leading to starvation and death. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, and this number is predicted to increase to 99% by 2050. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic ingestion, with up to a million seabirds dying each year as a result.

In addition to seabirds, other marine mammals, such as whales, seals, and sea lions, are also affected by plastic pollution. Endangered species, such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, are among the nearly 700 species that ingest or become entangled in plastic litter. Plastic ingestion can cause physical changes, impair movement, inhibit digestion, and lead to death.

Entanglement in plastic debris is another major issue. Marine mammals can get entangled in discarded fishing nets or other plastic items, leading to injury, drowning, and mortality. Large items of plastic can capture and entangle marine mammals and fish, making them vulnerable to starvation and predators.

Plastic pollution also contributes to the spread of invasive species, threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web. Microplastics have become a part of the food chain and are found in drinking water, salt, beer, and even in the soil where we grow our vegetables.

The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and far-reaching. It affects a wide range of species, from seabirds to marine mammals, and can lead to starvation, injury, and death. With the amount of plastic in our oceans expected to increase, it is crucial to address this issue and find ways to reduce plastic pollution before it enters the ocean.

Plastic pollution will lead to more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050

Plastic pollution is one of the most pressing global environmental challenges of the century. Projections show that by 2050, the oceans may have more plastic than fish.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the World Economic Forum, in a report called *The New Plastics Economy*, predicted that if we continue producing and failing to properly dispose of plastics at predicted rates, plastics in the ocean will outweigh fish pound for pound in 2050. The report acknowledges that it is difficult to be precise. However, it is estimated that plastic production will increase by 40% in the next 10 years. If we don’t do anything about the plastic soup, oceans will carry more plastic than fish (by weight) by 2050. The United Nations warns that marine life will be irreparably destroyed.

The effects of plastic pollution on marine life are already being felt. Plastic waste kills up to a million seabirds a year. When seabirds ingest plastic, it takes up room in their stomachs, sometimes causing starvation. Dead seabirds are often found with their stomachs full of plastic. Scientists estimate that 60% of all seabird species have eaten pieces of plastic, a figure they predict will rise to 99% by 2050.

Marine mammals are also affected by plastic pollution. They can get entangled in nets, which can drown them, or ingest plastic. Large amounts of plastic debris have been found in the habitat of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, including in areas that serve as pup nurseries. Entanglement in plastic debris has also led to injury and mortality in the endangered Steller sea lion, with packing bands the most common entangling material.

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