Ethan Clarke
Plastic pollution is a pressing global issue that poses a direct threat to marine life. Marine ecosystems are delicately balanced, and the introduction of plastic waste can have detrimental effects on the organisms that inhabit them. From the tiniest microorganisms to large marine mammals, no creature is spared the consequences of this crisis. With an estimated 8 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, the impact on marine life is both diverse and devastating.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic in marine life | Marine wildlife suffers the most direct and damaging effects of ocean plastic pollution |
| Plastic debris | Floating plastic debris can allow species such as coastal organisms to spread far from their natural environments and thrive in the open ocean, upsetting the balance in the GPGP |
| Plastic in ocean basins | Plastic is persistent in ocean basins due to unique characteristics such as the potential for ready transportation by water currents and wind due to long shelf life |
| Plastic in marine ecosystems | Any change in a marine ecosystem can seriously impact its inhabitants |
| Plastic in marine food webs | Microplastics are similar in size to food particles consumed by most marine and coastal organisms in lower trophic levels, making them highly susceptible to accumulation through ingestion with harmful impacts |
| Plastic and marine life socio-economic impacts | Accumulation of plastic debris causes not only negative ecological consequences to the ecosystem but also threatens the socio-economic aspects of human life in various ways |
| Plastic and marine life global impact | Plastic pollution is a global problem that requires a global response |
| Plastic in marine life and ingestion | Marine species ingest plastic, leading to issues including suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination over time |
| Plastic in marine life and entanglement | Marine species get entangled in plastic, leading to starvation, injury, and predator vulnerability |
| Plastic in marine life and marine mammals | Marine plastics are contributing to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year |
| Plastic in marine life and sea birds | Plastic debris is said to cause the deaths of more than a million seabirds each year |
| Plastic in marine life and sea turtles | All seven sea turtle species are affected by plastic, with plastic being the second leading cause of death for the Mediterranean monk seal |
| Plastic in marine life and apex predators | A large, yet understudied, threat to marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas is the cumulative impact of microplastics in the food chain and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics |
| Plastic in marine life and microplastics | Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They also have the ability to adsorb toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion by marine life
Marine wildlife is suffering the most direct and damaging effects of plastic pollution. From all kinds of fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, microorganisms, and many other forms of life, the damage caused by plastic pollution to marine animals is increasingly visible.
Fish often mistake small plastic pieces, such as pellets, for food. When molluscs such as mussels and oysters filter seawater to feed, they also take in human-created pollutants, including microplastics. In a study of mussels sourced from UK waters, 100% of the samples were found to contain microplastic pieces. Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They also have the ability to adsorb toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located halfway between Hawaii and California, is the largest accumulation of plastic in the world. Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, transferring plastic up the food chain to bigger fish, marine mammals, and eventually human seafood eaters. A recent study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers.
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine life is a growing concern, with plastic pollution reaching even the most remote areas of the ocean.
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Plastic entanglement of marine life
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis with a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Marine mammals, in particular, are highly vulnerable to plastic entanglement, especially from ghost fishing gear. Fishing ropes, nets, and pots that are discarded or abandoned at sea can entangle various marine life, from large whales to smaller dolphins and seals. The entanglement can lead to injury, starvation, and increased vulnerability to predators.
NOAA Fisheries and its partners work to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They have developed specialized tools and techniques to safely disentangle whales and other marine creatures, often from small inflatable rescue boats. Satellite transmitters and receivers are also used to track entangled animals, aiding in the relocation of whales that require further assistance.
Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, and sea lions, can be captured and their entanglements removed by trained response partners. These partners are skilled in safe capture, restraint, and gear removal techniques for various marine species. Following the disentanglement, the animal may require evaluation and treatment at a rehabilitation facility. Each successful rescue provides valuable information to reduce entanglement occurrences and improve management strategies.
The ingestion of plastic by marine life is another significant issue. Plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, in particular, are easily consumed by wildlife and can adsorb toxins, transferring them to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being determined, but their presence in marine food chains, including human seafood, is a growing concern.
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Microplastics in the marine food chain
Plastic waste in the ocean is a global crisis, with plastic now found in almost every part of the environment. Marine wildlife is suffering the most direct and damaging effects of plastic pollution. From fish to turtles, seals, crustaceans, and even microorganisms, the damage caused by plastic pollution to marine life is becoming increasingly visible.
Microplastics, pieces of plastic smaller than 5mm, are of particular concern due to their potential impact on ocean food chains, the marine environment, and human health. These microscopic particles can easily spread into environments affected by human activity, as well as remote areas. They are often ingested by marine animals, either directly or indirectly through the consumption of prey that has been contaminated.
Microplastics have been detected in various marine organisms, including zooplankton, chaetognatha, ichtyoplankton, copepods, salps, invertebrates, and vertebrates such as fish, seabirds, and mammals. They can cause physical damage to organs, leach hazardous chemicals, and compromise immune function, growth, and reproduction. Biofilms, or coatings of bacteria and other microorganisms, can also form on microplastics, leading to further environmental and health implications.
The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being determined, but their presence in the marine food chain is undeniable. They have the ability to adsorb toxins, which can then transfer to the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. As microplastics accumulate in the environment, their levels in the food chain are expected to increase, ultimately reaching humans at the top of the chain.
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Plastic pollution in marine ecosystems
Plastic pollution is a global issue that requires a global response. Marine ecosystems are finely balanced, and any change to that balance can seriously impact the inhabitants. The ocean is perhaps the most vulnerable environment to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it has no boundaries. Waves and storms can carry plastics to even the furthest reaches of the ocean, where they accumulate into large gyres on the high seas or become embedded in shorelines and delicate coastal ecosystems.
Plastic debris is currently the most abundant form of marine litter, making up 80% of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. Plastic can affect marine species in a variety of ways, from entanglement and injury to ingestion and toxic contamination. The major determining factor is the size of the plastic, which can adversely affect different species in different ways and on different timescales.
Large items of plastic can capture and entangle marine mammals and fish, stopping them from escaping and usually leading to starvation, injury, and predator vulnerability. Discarded fishing nets and gear can also smother and break coral reefs, preventing healthy growth. Smaller plastic fragments can sit on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to issues including suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination over time.
Microplastics are invisible to the naked eye, making them easy for wildlife to consume. They also have the ability to adsorb toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. As plastic breaks down, the levels of microplastics in the ocean increase exponentially. Microplastics have been detected in hundreds of fish species, including many that humans consume. A recent study found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, mostly in the form of plastic microfibers. This means that when we eat fish, the toxic material makes its way back into our food chain.
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Global efforts to reduce plastic pollution
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. It is a significant driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change. As plastic pollution is a transboundary issue, a global response is necessary to address this crisis. Here are some key global efforts aimed at reducing plastic pollution:
International Treaties and Agreements
There is a growing recognition of the need for a comprehensive global plastics treaty to reduce plastic production, phase out harmful subsidies, eliminate harmful products and chemicals, and strengthen national plans and reporting mechanisms. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is one such international treaty that addresses plastic pollution, alongside other agreements like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
National Legislation and Policies
Many countries are implementing legislation and policies to mitigate plastic pollution. For example, the United States has the 2021 Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, and the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act. South Korea established the Practical Integrated System of Marine Debris to address the issue, while Scotland introduced a marine litter strategy in 2013. Sri Lanka also enacted regulations on polythene and plastic management in 2017.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
There is a growing emphasis on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, which go beyond waste management. This involves making plastic producers and distributors responsible for their products and packaging throughout their entire lifecycle, including at the end of their useful life. This encourages more sustainable product design and promotes a circular economy.
Public Awareness and Education
Educating the public about plastic pollution and its impacts is crucial. This includes raising awareness about the issues related to plastic pollution, promoting sustainable alternatives, and encouraging individual actions to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics.
Collaboration with NGOs and Businesses
Collaborative efforts between non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, and businesses are vital. For instance, Fauna & Flora worked with NGOs and government agencies to secure a ban on microbeads in cosmetic products. Hundreds of organizations and businesses have also worked with the United Nations to enact the global plastics treaty.
Research and Monitoring
Scientific research and monitoring are essential to understanding the distribution, contamination levels, sources, and impacts of plastic pollution. This information is crucial for developing effective mitigation measures and policies.
These global efforts demonstrate a growing recognition of the urgency to address plastic pollution and protect marine life. By combining international agreements, national legislation, industry responsibility, public awareness, and collaborative initiatives, we can make significant strides in reducing plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic enters the ocean through human activities, such as unsustainable development, construction, and the disposal of single-use plastic packaging and consumer goods. Rivers are a key pathway, with 1000 rivers contributing to 80% of plastic emissions into the oceans.
Plastic harms marine life in various ways, including entanglement, injury, ingestion, and toxic contamination. Large plastic items can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to drowning, starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Smaller plastic fragments can be mistaken for food by seabirds, fish, and other marine species, causing suffocation, starvation, and the transfer of toxins to their fatty tissues. Microplastics can also enter the food chain through fish and other seafood, ultimately reaching humans.
All species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution, especially juvenile green turtles. Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, and their downward-facing throat spines prevent them from regurgitating the ingested plastic. In addition, 56% of whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic, and endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals and humpback dolphins are also impacted. Overall, it is estimated that plastic pollution affects at least 700 marine species and contributes to the deaths of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually.
Reducing plastic in the ocean requires global cooperation and systemic change. Efforts to address plastic pollution include international negotiations, such as the UN Environment Assembly's resolution to "End plastic pollution: towards an International legally binding instrument". Additionally, individuals can contribute by reducing plastic consumption, recycling, using reusable items instead of disposables, and participating in beach or community cleanups.
