Omar Khalid
Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on marine life, killing or crippling animals and threatening entire species. An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans annually, with 46,000 pieces in every square mile of ocean. This plastic waste affects at least 700 marine species, and some estimates suggest that at least 100 million marine animals die each year from ingestion or entanglement. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable, with millions dying annually after mistaking plastic for food, while large whales and dolphins have also been found dead with plastic in their stomachs.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Estimated number of marine animals that die from plastic annually | 100 million |
| Number of marine animals that die from plastic entanglement annually | 100,000 |
| Number of marine animals that die from plastic ingestion annually | 100,000 |
| Number of sea birds that die from plastic annually | 1 million |
| Percentage of albatrosses that have ingested plastic | 98% |
| Number of cetaceans entangled and killed by discarded fishing gear | 300,000 |
| Percentage of cetaceans that ingest plastic debris | 31% |
| Percentage of cetaceans at an increased risk of death from ingesting plastic | 22% |
| Number of sea lions entangled in plastic debris | 388 |
| Number of tons of plastic entering the oceans every year | 8 million |
| Number of tons of "ghost fishing equipment" entering the oceans every year | 640,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Marine mammals and birds killed by plastic ingestion
Marine mammals and seabirds are among the worst affected by plastic pollution. While it is difficult to know the exact number, it is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. Of the 123 marine mammal species, 81 are known to have ingested plastic.
Marine mammals cannot breathe underwater, and entanglement in plastic debris is a significant cause of death. Abandoned fishing gear, or "ghost nets", is a major contributor to this. The results from recovered ghost nets are devastating: they contain the skeletons of dolphins, dolphinfish, turtles, reef sharks, and numerous reef fish. Even if the entangled animal can move, it is unlikely to survive.
Marine mammals can also die from infections caused by plastic cutting into their skin. Rare species such as the humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with plastic tightly wrapped around their bodies.
Plastic ingestion is another major cause of death. Research indicates that half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic. As plastic bags resemble jellyfish, a crucial part of a turtle's diet, they are often consumed by mistake. Turtles have downward-facing spines in their throats that prevent regurgitation, making plastic ingestion particularly dangerous for them.
Seabirds are also at risk of death from plastic ingestion. Of all the species studied, 98% of albatross are believed to have ingested plastic, mistaking it for fish eggs. This plastic is then passed on to their chicks, which perish from organ failure or starvation. It is estimated that 1 million seabirds die from plastic ingestion annually.
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Plastic entanglement causing injury and death
Marine animals are swallowing and becoming entangled in plastic at alarming rates. Nearly 1,800 animals from 40 different species swallowed or became entangled in plastic between 2009 and 2018, according to a report by the ocean conservation group Oceana. The report also states that about 88% of these animals were listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act, including Hawaiian monk seals, Stellar sea lions, manatees, and six species of sea turtles.
Plastic entanglement can cause injury and death in marine animals in several ways. One of the most common ways entanglement kills is by drowning. For example, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle drowned after a plastic bag filled with sand wrapped around its neck. In another instance, a spinner dolphin was seen with plastic around its nose. Entanglement can also cause physical trauma, amputation, and infections. A rare species of humpback dolphin, found only in the waters around Australia and New Guinea, was observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around its body. If the plastic isn't removed, it can cut deep into the animal's skin, leading to the risk of deadly infections.
Marine mammals, such as seals, dolphins, and whales, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in discarded fishing nets, which make up a significant portion of the plastic waste in the ocean. Ghost fishing equipment, which includes nets that are deliberately cut and left in the ocean, poses a significant threat to marine life.
While it is challenging to determine the exact number, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. This includes entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear and ingestion of plastic waste. The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond marine animals, as land animals such as elephants, hyenas, zebras, and birds are also affected.
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Plastic waste in coral reefs
Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet, housing about 25% of all marine life. They are under threat from natural and human-made stressors including dredging, climate change, and plastic pollution.
The Asia-Pacific region contains 55.5% of global coral reefs and has some of the highest levels of estimated mismanaged plastic waste entering the ocean. It is estimated that 11.1 billion plastic items are entangled on coral reefs across the Asia-Pacific, with Indonesia having the highest levels of plastic pollution in coral reefs and Australia the lowest. This number is projected to increase by 40% by 2025.
Research has shown that long-term exposure to microplastics impairs coral growth. Microplastics adhering to coral tissue could be impacting coral by preventing them from capturing prey or causing them to expend energy removing the plastic.
To reduce the impact of plastic waste on coral reefs, it is important to reduce plastic consumption, recycle plastic properly, and ensure that plastic waste does not end up in the environment.
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Plastic ingestion by marine life mistaking it for food
Marine animals are ingesting plastic at an alarming rate, mistaking it for food. This is causing injury, starvation, and death. The problem is widespread, affecting all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. It is estimated that more than 100,000 marine mammals die each year from plastic ingestion, and this is likely an underestimate as the full impact of microplastics is yet to be fully understood.
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant contributor to the decline in marine life. An estimated 8 million tons of plastic enter the oceans annually, with 500 marine locations now considered dead zones. Marine animals are ingesting plastic in several ways. Firstly, small plastic fragments sit on the water's surface and are mistaken for food by seabirds and other species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Secondly, microplastics, invisible to the naked eye, are easily consumed by wildlife and can adsorb toxins, which then transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. Thirdly, larger plastic items can capture and entangle marine life, leading to starvation, injury, and vulnerability to predators.
Seabirds are among the most affected by plastic ingestion. A review by Kühn and van Franeker found that over 40% of seabird species had ingested plastic. Albatrosses, for example, mistake plastics for fish eggs and feed them to their chicks, leading to organ failure or starvation. Turtles are also heavily impacted by plastic ingestion, with all seven species affected. Plastic bags resemble jellyfish, a staple food for leatherback turtles, and fishing nets look like edible seaweed. When turtles eat plastic, it creates a false sense of fullness, leading to starvation.
Plankton, shellfish, birds, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles from all parts of the world and various ocean depths have ingested plastic. Passive feeders, such as molluscs that filter seawater for food, unintentionally consume microplastics. Active feeders, like apex predators, ingest plastic through their prey and the cumulative impact of microplastics in the food chain. A single plastic particle can absorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, posing a significant threat to apex predators like great white sharks and orcas.
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine life is devastating and widespread. While it is challenging to determine the exact number of deaths caused by plastic pollution, the evidence suggests that it is a significant contributor to the decline in marine life. With plastic production continuing to increase, the problem is likely to worsen unless urgent global action is taken to reduce plastic production and improve waste management.
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Plastic pollution in fishing gear
It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste. While it is challenging to determine the exact number, it is clear that plastic pollution is a significant issue for marine life. One of the primary ways that plastic pollution harms marine creatures is through ingestion or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear.
Fishing gear is a major contributor to plastic pollution in the oceans. It is estimated that 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enters the oceans annually is ghost fishing equipment, which includes nets, lines, ropes, and traps. This gear is either deliberately discarded or accidentally lost by fishing vessels. Ghost gear can persist in the environment for hundreds of years, continuously entangling and harming marine animals. It is estimated that 705,000 tons of discarded fishing nets are currently in the ocean, entangling and injuring many sea mammals, such as seals, dolphins, and whales. The entanglement often leads to drowning, as marine mammals cannot breathe underwater.
In addition to entanglement, the ingestion of plastic-based fishing gear is also a significant issue. Many turtles have been found with plastic bags or fishing lines in their stomachs, which can lead to fatal intestinal blockages. Plastic waste in the ocean often breaks down into smaller, more toxic pieces, which are more easily ingested and can carry invasive species, further exacerbating the problem.
The issue of plastic pollution in fishing gear is not limited to the open ocean. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), an accumulation of floating plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean, is largely composed of fishing-related plastic waste. It is estimated that 75% to 86% of the plastic waste in the GPGP originates from offshore fishing activities, particularly from major industrialised fishing nations such as the United States, China, Japan, and Korea.
Addressing plastic pollution in fishing gear requires a multifaceted approach. One suggestion is to promote biodegradable fishing gear or designs that facilitate the separation and recycling of plastics used in the industry. Additionally, reducing the consumption of seafood and choosing sustainable and environmentally friendly food options can help reduce the demand for industrial fishing operations, thereby decreasing the impact of ghost gear on marine ecosystems. Public education and participation in beach clean-up events are also crucial in tackling this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that die from plastic pollution. However, it is estimated that plastic kills 100 million marine mammals every year. This includes the deaths of 100,000 marine animals that get entangled in plastic.
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. When ingested, plastic clogs their digestive systems, leading to starvation or organ failure. Animals can also get entangled and drown in plastic debris, which may lead to injury or drowning.
All seven species of sea turtles are affected by plastic pollution. Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, which are a crucial part of their diet. Seabirds are another group that is heavily impacted, with millions of deaths each year. Albatrosses, in particular, have a high likelihood of ingesting plastic, mistaking it for fish eggs.
Education and awareness are crucial in addressing the issue of plastic pollution. Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, recycle, and participate in local beach clean-up efforts. Implementing measures such as bans or taxes on plastic bags has proven effective in reducing plastic usage.
