Sofia Martinez
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern, with millions of tonnes of plastic waste ending up in our oceans each year. This waste includes microplastics, abandoned fishing gear, and other plastic debris, which pose a significant threat to marine life. Seals, curious and playful by nature, often find themselves entangled in plastic waste or ingesting microplastics, leading to devastating health consequences and even death. With plastic pollution showing no signs of abating, it is crucial that we address this issue to protect seals and other marine animals from the harmful impacts of plastic pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of plastic | Microplastics, abandoned fishing gear, ghost gear |
| Impact on seals | Entanglement, ingestion of toxic chemicals, increase in chance of disease and impact on reproduction |
| Sources of plastic waste | Land-based (plastic blown into the sea from beaches or washed into the sea by stormwater) and ocean-based (garbage disposed of at sea by ships) |
| Organizations addressing the issue | Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), Hout Bay Seal Rescue Centre, Kayak Adventures from the Cape Town Bucket List Ocean Adventures (CTBL) Group |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
The ingestion of plastics by seals has been observed in multiple studies. For example, a study in the Netherlands analysed stomach, intestine, and scat samples of harbour seals, finding an 11% incidence rate of plastics in stomachs. Younger seals were more affected, highlighting the vulnerability of this age group.
The consequences of plastic ingestion can be devastating for seals. Plastics contain toxic chemicals that increase the chance of disease and negatively impact reproduction. Seals may suffer for months or years before eventually succumbing to their illnesses. The presence of ingested plastic debris in seals is an indicator of the broader issue of marine litter and the urgent need for environmental action.
Ghost gear, abandoned fishing equipment lost in the sea, is another source of plastic ingestion by seals. As this equipment breaks down, it contributes to the microplastics issue and poisons marine life. Seals can also become entangled in ghost gear, leading to injury and death. The increasing volume of ghost gear in our oceans underscores the necessity of sustainable solutions and collaborative efforts to address this pressing environmental crisis.
To protect seals and other marine life from the harmful effects of plastic ingestion, it is imperative to tackle plastic pollution at its source. This includes regulating plastics as a pollutant, holding companies accountable for their plastic runoff, and promoting sustainable alternatives to reduce the amount of plastic entering our oceans. By addressing the root causes of plastic pollution, we can mitigate the direct and deadly impact it has on seals and other marine wildlife.
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Entanglement
Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern, with far-reaching consequences for marine life. Seals, curious and playful by nature, often find themselves entangled in plastic waste, unable to free themselves. This plastic waste includes abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost gear", and plastic blown into the sea from beaches or carried by stormwater. Once entangled, the plastic tightens around the seal as it grows, leading to a slow and painful death.
Ghost gear, which makes up an estimated 10% of plastic waste in the oceans, continues to entrap seals and other sea creatures, even after being lost or discarded. As this equipment breaks down into microplastics, it further endangers marine life. Microplastics, resulting from larger plastics degrading over time, are ingested by seals and other animals, exposing them to toxic chemicals and increasing their susceptibility to diseases and reproductive issues.
The impact of plastic pollution on seals is evident in areas like the Western Cape coastline, where a thriving fishing industry and a large population of Cape Fur Seals compete for fish. Seals, unfortunately, end up playing with plastic rubbish, including fishing lines and nets, which can ensnare them. The negligence of humans in properly disposing of plastic waste has led to this tragic situation for seals and other marine life.
To address this issue, organizations like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) have been established. The GGGI brings together governments, private-sector companies, and non-governmental organizations to tackle the problem of ghost gear in the oceans. Additionally, local efforts, such as harbour cleanups and seal rescue centres, play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on seals.
The solution to seal entanglement in plastic waste lies in a two-pronged approach: firstly, preventing plastic from entering the oceans, and secondly, removing the plastic that is already entrapping seals and other marine animals. This entails addressing the negligence that leads to plastic waste in the oceans and providing sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics. By taking these steps, we can protect seals and preserve the biodiversity of our oceans.
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Toxins and endocrine disruption
Plastics contain and leach hazardous chemicals, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). EDCs are chemicals that interfere with the body's hormone systems and can cause adverse health effects such as cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurological impairments in developing fetuses and children.
EDCs can leach from plastic food packaging and storage containers into the fatty ingredients they contain. They can also enter the body through the oil in sweat and the skin. Once inside the body, EDCs can disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating growth, development, metabolism, and reproduction. The thyroid gland, for example, is an essential endocrine gland that regulates brain function, growth, and neurological development. Long-term exposure to plastic particles and associated chemicals has been shown to impair thyroid function, leading to potential developmental abnormalities and hyperactivity of the thyroid gland.
Research has also shown that exposure to EDCs in utero can impact the development of male offspring, with studies showing that pregnant people with higher phthalate levels gave birth to sons with shorter anogenital distances (AGD), a marker of lower levels of male sex hormones in utero. Later research has linked shorter AGD with lower sperm counts. Additionally, newborn rats injected with BPA, a chemical found in plastics, exhibited reduced fertility and developed ovarian cysts.
The issue of plastic pollution and its impact on human health is not limited to humans but extends to marine life as well. Seals, for example, are among the marine animals affected by plastic waste in the oceans, ingesting microplastics that contain toxic chemicals and increasing their risk of disease and reproductive issues. Abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost gear," also contributes to the microplastics problem as it breaks down over time, further endangering marine life.
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Ghost gear
Additionally, ghost gear contributes to the microplastics problem in our oceans. As the abandoned fishing gear breaks down over time, it forms microplastics, which are tiny pieces of plastic. These microplastics are ingested by marine animals, including seals. The toxic chemicals in plastic can increase the chance of disease and affect reproduction, causing prolonged suffering before death.
Addressing the issue of ghost gear requires a combination of prevention, better technology, and collaborative initiatives. Prevention focuses on reducing the creation of ghost gear through improved tracking and identification technology, holding fishermen accountable for their gear, and implementing programs to buy back or recycle derelict gear. Better underwater GPS technology and topographic maps can help reduce gear collisions with seafloor obstructions, minimizing the number of snagged nets that become ghost gear. Initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) bring together governments, private-sector companies, and non-governmental organizations to clear oceans of ghost gear and promote sustainable practices.
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Plastic debris
Marine debris, such as derelict fishing gear and trash, is particularly dangerous to seals. They can get entangled in nets, plastic, and metal box straps, resulting in injury or death. Packing bands are the most common entangling material, and they have led to injury and mortality in the endangered Steller sea lion. Ghost gear, or abandoned fishing equipment, can entangle and kill seals and other sea animals, and it is likely that as the volume of ghost gear in the oceans increases, so will the volume of microplastics.
The Center for Biological Diversity and the Northwest Straits Initiative are working to tackle the problem of plastic pollution and remove derelict fishing gear from the oceans. The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) brings together governments, private-sector companies, and non-governmental organisations to clear the oceans of ghost gear and stop more from entering. Seal Sitters sponsors annual cleanups of West Seattle beaches, and the Sea Doc Society and the Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre collaborate to remove plastic packing bands from sea lions.
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Frequently asked questions
Seals are playful and curious animals that often end up playing with plastic rubbish and ocean pollution, such as fishing lines and nets. Seals can get entangled in plastic waste, which tightens around their necks, flippers, or mouths as they grow, leading to a slow and painful death.
Ghost gear refers to abandoned or lost fishing equipment in the sea, such as nets and other man-made gear. As this equipment breaks down, it releases microplastics into the ocean, poisoning seals and other marine animals.
Seals that ingest microplastics may suffer for months or years before dying. Plastic contains toxic chemicals, which can increase the chance of disease and affect reproduction.
To reduce the impact of plastic on seal populations, it is essential to address the root cause of the problem, which is negligent human behavior. This includes illegal and industrial fishing fleets emptying oceans and filling them with ghost gear. Governments and nations should stand together to protect marine life and hold these fleets accountable. Additionally, corporations should stop producing single-use plastics and provide reusable alternatives. Public awareness and support for initiatives like the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and seal rescue centers are also crucial in tackling this issue.
