Alexei Volkov
Plastic is wreaking havoc underwater, killing and crippling marine animals. An estimated 8 to 10 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year, with 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean. Marine animals die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter. Seabirds mistake plastic for food, and turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Large items of plastic can capture and entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic annually | 100,000 marine mammals and approximately 1 million seabirds |
| Number of marine mammal species affected by plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Number of sea turtle species affected by plastic | 7 |
| Types of animals entangled in plastic | Whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals, turtles, sharks, crabs, seahorses, fish |
| Types of animals that ingest plastic | Whales, turtles, seabirds, seahorses, fish |
| Types of plastic that cause entanglement | Fishing ropes, nets, pots, packing bands, plastic bands, ghost fishing gear |
| Types of plastic that are ingested | Plastic bags, plastic microfibers, plastic wrappers, plastic cotton swabs, plastic debris, microplastics |
| Effects of plastic ingestion | Starvation, intestinal injury, toxic contamination, suffocation, infection, death |
| Effects of plastic entanglement | Starvation, injury, drowning, vulnerability to predators |
| Other effects of plastic on marine life | Pathogen growth, coral disease |
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What You'll Learn
Marine animals mistake plastic for food
Marine animals are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with an estimated 100,000 marine animals killed by plastic ingestion or entanglement each year. This number is likely a conservative estimate, as not every affected animal is reported. Marine animals mistake plastic for food due to their different sensory and perceptive abilities compared to humans. For example, turtles can identify food through vision, but their ability to see UV light means that a floating plastic bag can resemble a jellyfish. Seabirds, such as albatross, rely on their sense of smell to find food, and plastic can carry the scent of algae, a primary food source for krill, which seabirds eat.
Marine megafauna, such as whales, are vulnerable to plastic ingestion. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mostly plastic bags. In another case, a dead pygmy sperm whale was found in New Jersey with just one plastic bag in its stomach, which was enough to contribute to its death. Approximately 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die from ghost gear entanglement annually.
Sea turtles are also affected by plastic pollution, with all seven species known to have ingested plastic. Baby sea turtles have been found with microplastics in their gastrointestinal tracts, while adult turtles have been found with larger plastic items, such as DVD cases and plastic sheets, in their stomachs. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and fishing nets for seaweed. When turtles eat plastic, it can create a false sense of fullness, leading to starvation. In one case, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle drowned after a plastic bag filled with sand wrapped around its neck.
In addition to whales and turtles, other marine mammals are also at risk. Hawaiian monk seals, Stellar sea lions, manatees, and six species of sea lions have been affected by plastic pollution. Dolphins have been observed with plastic wrapped tightly around their noses and bodies, which can cut into their skin and lead to deadly infections. Marine birds are also impacted, with approximately 1 million seabirds dying from plastic ingestion annually.
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Plastic entanglement leads to drowning
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. Among the various ways plastic harms marine animals, entanglement stands out as a particularly insidious cause of death. This is especially true for marine mammals, who, much like humans, cannot breathe underwater. Thus, entanglement often leads to drowning, making it a leading cause of death among marine animals.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is widespread and devastating. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills approximately 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have ingested or become entangled in plastic. All seven species of sea turtles are also affected by plastic pollution, with ingestion and entanglement being the two primary causes of their demise.
Entanglement in plastic can have dire consequences for marine animals, often leading to drowning. This occurs when marine creatures become trapped in plastic debris, such as discarded fishing nets, ropes, and other plastic-based gear. Unable to break free, they succumb to drowning, even if they are species that can usually move while entangled. The weight of plastic bags can also cause drowning, as in the case of a sea turtle that drowned due to the weight of a plastic bag it had swallowed.
Large marine mammals, such as whales, are especially vulnerable to plastic entanglement, particularly from ghost fishing gear. Ghost gear refers to fishing equipment that has been deliberately discarded or accidentally lost at sea, which continues to entangle and trap marine life. An estimated 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die each year from entanglement in ghost gear, with plastic being a significant component of this deadly debris.
In addition to the immediate risk of drowning, entanglement in plastic can also lead to long-term injuries and increased vulnerability to predators. Marine animals may suffer deep cuts from tight plastic wrappings, leaving them susceptible to deadly infections. The restriction of movement caused by entanglement can also hinder their ability to escape predators or catch prey, further endangering their survival.
The problem of plastic entanglement in marine animals underscores the urgent need to address our plastic consumption and disposal practices. With an estimated 8 to 10 million tons of plastic entering the oceans annually, it is imperative that we reduce, recycle, and properly dispose of plastic waste to protect marine life from the deadly consequences of entanglement.
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Plastic ingestion causes intestinal injury and death
Marine animals are facing a grave threat from the plastic that ends up in the ocean. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. The two main ways in which marine animals are affected by plastic are ingestion (eating) and entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear.
Marine animals ingest plastic either accidentally, when it is mixed with or attached to their natural food, or by mistaking it for food. Floating plastic debris often breaks into small, colourful, and easily edible pieces, attracting hungry animals. Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, fish, and plankton are among the many marine species that ingest plastic.
When marine animals eat plastic, it can cause intestinal injury and death in several ways. Firstly, sharp or rough plastic debris can create cuts in the digestive system, leading to infections and internal bleeding. Secondly, plastic can block their digestive system, making them feel full and reducing their appetite, which leads to starvation and malnutrition. Thirdly, plastic can carry harmful pollutants and toxins, which can transfer to the fatty tissues of the animals that ingest them, causing toxic contamination and serious health issues. Finally, ingested plastic can also pass up the food chain, affecting bigger fish, marine mammals, and humans who consume seafood.
Research has found that a quarter of fish at markets in California contained plastic in their guts, and half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a Spanish beach with 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract, causing fatal inflammation. These tragic cases highlight the deadly consequences of plastic ingestion for marine animals and the urgent need to address plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Plastic debris can cut into skin, leading to infection
Marine animals are dying from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in plastic-based fishing gear. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have ingested or been entangled in plastic. All seven sea turtle species are affected, and approximately 1 million seabirds die from plastic annually.
Plastic debris in the ocean can cut deep into the skin of marine animals, leading to infection. Marine mammals, in particular, are vulnerable to this, as they do not understand the dangers that plastics pose to them. For example, humpback dolphins, a rare species found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies. If the plastic is not dislodged, it can cut into their skin, leaving them susceptible to deadly infections.
Other marine animals that face a high risk of entanglement include whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles. These animals can become entangled in fishing gear and other plastic marine debris as they swim or while resting on beaches. Entanglement can restrict the mobility of these animals, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. The gear can also cut into their flesh, causing physical trauma and infections.
Smaller marine animals, such as sea turtles, seals, porpoises, and smaller whales, may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear. While larger whales may not drown, they face risks of exhaustion and infection. Entanglement is a leading cause of human-induced mortality in many whale species, including right whales, humpback whales, and gray whales.
To address this issue, organizations like NOAA Fisheries work with partners to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They have developed specialized tools and techniques to safely disentangle whales and other marine creatures, often using small inflatable rescue boats to approach and assist the animals.
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Plastic waste encourages the growth of pathogens in the ocean
Plastic waste in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine life. One of the often overlooked consequences of plastic pollution is its role in encouraging the growth of pathogens in the ocean.
Corals, for instance, face an increased risk of contracting diseases when exposed to plastic waste. A recent study found that corals in contact with plastic have an alarming 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to a mere 4% likelihood for corals that are not exposed to plastic. This disparity highlights the detrimental impact of plastic on the health of coral ecosystems.
The presence of plastic waste creates an ideal environment for pathogens to thrive and proliferate. As plastic breaks down into smaller pieces over time due to wave action and exposure to the elements, it provides an abundant source of food for microorganisms, facilitating their growth. Additionally, plastic acts as a vector for the transmission of pathogens, as it can carry and spread harmful bacteria and viruses throughout the ocean.
The impact of pathogen growth extends beyond corals and affects a wide range of marine organisms. When marine animals ingest plastic, they also consume the pathogens attached to it, leading to infections and diseases. This is particularly concerning for marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, and seals, which are already vulnerable to the entanglement and ingestion of plastic debris.
Furthermore, plastic waste can alter the ocean's chemistry, creating conditions that favor the growth of certain pathogens. For example, plastic can absorb and release toxic chemicals, including carcinogens, into the surrounding seawater. These chemicals can contaminate the water and promote the growth of harmful microorganisms, posing additional risks to the health of marine life and the stability of ocean ecosystems.
Addressing the issue of plastic waste in the ocean is crucial to mitigating the spread of pathogens and their impact on marine ecosystems. By reducing plastic pollution, we can decrease the availability of nutrients for pathogens and disrupt their lifecycle, thereby protecting the diverse array of marine organisms that call the ocean home.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals every year, including 300,000 whales, dolphins and porpoises. This is likely a conservative estimate, as it's difficult to know the exact number.
Marine animals die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Plastic can cause intestinal injuries, block their digestive tracts, or make them feel full, leading to starvation. It can also cut into their skin, causing infections, or restrict their growth.
All seven species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution, with half of sea turtles worldwide having ingested plastic. Seabirds are also highly vulnerable, with approximately 1 million seabirds dying from plastic annually. Large marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals are susceptible to entanglement in ghost fishing gear.
Plastic enters the ocean through single-use packaging, consumer goods, and microplastic fibers shed from clothing. It is estimated that 8 to 10 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, with about 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of ocean.
Education and awareness are crucial to reducing plastic pollution. Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, properly secure and dispose of their garbage, and volunteer for local beach clean-up efforts. Governments and organizations are also working to regulate plastics as pollutants and push for alternative solutions.
