Maya Ellison
Sea turtles are among the first marine animals recorded to eat plastic, and millions of tonnes of plastic enter the oceans each year. Research has found that once a turtle had ingested 14 plastic items, there was a 50% chance it would die. Turtles often mistake plastic for prey, and plastic can block their intestines, leading to malnutrition and death. They also risk choking to death, losing limbs, and drowning when they get entangled in plastic waste. While it is unclear what percentage of turtles die from plastic, it is evident that plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles worldwide, and scientists are only beginning to understand its impacts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of sea turtles that have eaten plastic | 52% |
| Number of plastic items in a turtle's gut that could lead to a 50% chance of death | 14 |
| Chance of a turtle dying from eating one piece of plastic | 22% |
| Number of turtles found dead and washed up on beaches in Australia | 1,000 |
| Percentage of turtles that die from entanglement in fishing gear | 91% |
| Number of sea turtles that die each year due to entanglement in plastic | 1,000 |
| Average number of turtles that die every hour due to entanglement in plastic | 1 every 9 hours |
| Average amount of plastic used per person in Australia | 147kg |
| Percentage of plastic recycled in Australia | 19% |
| Amount of plastic that ends up in the ocean | 130,000 tonnes |
| Ratio of plankton to plastic in the ocean | 1kg of plankton: 6kg of plastic |
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic | 270 species |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic bags are ingested, blocking the digestive system and leading to death
- Turtles mistake plastic for prey, like jellyfish
- Entanglement in plastic fishing gear and nets leads to drowning
- Plastic waste hosts invasive species, increasing damage
- Plastic in the stomach makes turtles feel full, leading to starvation
Plastic bags are ingested, blocking the digestive system and leading to death
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to sea turtles worldwide, and scientists are only beginning to understand its impacts. Sea turtles were among the first marine animals recorded to eat plastic debris, and it is now estimated that approximately 52% of all sea turtles have ingested plastic.
Plastic bags, in particular, pose a significant risk to sea turtles. When turtles ingest plastic bags, they can become lodged in the digestive tract, forming a fatal blockage that can lead to malnutrition and death. This occurs because plastic bags resemble jellyfish, a favourite food of the Galapagos green turtle. The downward-facing spines in turtles' throats prevent them from regurgitating the plastic, making it impossible for them to dislodge the blockage.
The ingestion of plastic bags can also lead to internal injuries and the obstruction of nutrients, further increasing the likelihood of death. Research conducted by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. In some cases, the ingestion of a single piece of plastic was enough to puncture the gut or create a blockage that led to death.
While the exact percentage of turtles that die from ingesting plastic bags is unknown, it is clear that this issue is a significant contributor to the decline of sea turtle populations. It is important for humans to reduce their dependence on single-use plastics and properly dispose of plastic waste to protect sea turtles and other marine life from the harmful effects of plastic pollution.
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Turtles mistake plastic for prey, like jellyfish
Sea turtles are among the many marine creatures that are affected by plastic pollution. They ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic that is present among their natural food.
The Galapagos green turtle, for example, feeds on jellyfish. Thus, wherever jellyfish are abundant, turtles are likely to be found nearby. However, plastic bags bear a resemblance to jellyfish when floating in the ocean, and if ingested by a turtle, they cause a fatal blockage in the gut, usually resulting in death. Similarly, mylar balloons filled with helium can also resemble jellyfish. These balloons can travel long distances and end up in water bodies, posing a risk to turtles that mistake them for prey.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that sea turtles do not know what plastic is and cannot differentiate between plastic and their natural food sources. Additionally, researchers have found that sea turtles are attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that attach themselves to the plastic debris. This attraction further increases the likelihood of turtles mistaking plastic for prey.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for sea turtles. It can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, and create a false sense of fullness, resulting in malnutrition and starvation. Furthermore, consuming plastic can make turtles unnaturally buoyant, impacting their growth and reproduction rates. In some cases, even a single piece of plastic can puncture the gut or clog the digestive system, leading to death.
While it is challenging to determine the exact percentage of turtles that die directly from ingesting plastic, research suggests that the risk is significant. A study by the University of Exeter found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. Additionally, Dr Kathy Townsend of the University of Sunshine Coast reported that in a sample of nearly 1,000 turtles found dead on Australian beaches, 50% had ingested plastic, with some containing as few as one or two plastic items in their stomachs. This research highlights the deadly impact of plastic on turtle populations.
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Entanglement in plastic fishing gear and nets leads to drowning
Plastic pollution is a significant threat to sea turtles, and entanglement in plastic fishing gear and nets is one of the primary causes of their mortality. While ingestion of plastic is a well-known issue, the entanglement of turtles in plastic debris, especially fishing gear and nets, has led to drowning and other severe injuries.
Turtles are strong swimmers, but when they become entangled in plastic fishing gear or nets, they are weighed down and unable to surface, resulting in drowning. This problem has increased substantially over the last century, with more and more turtles falling victim to entanglement. All species of turtles have been found entangled, but Olive Ridley turtles are the most prone to getting tangled due to their foraging habits and attraction to marine debris.
The fishing industry's shift from natural fibres to synthetic plastic materials has exacerbated the issue. Nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene are commonly used in fishing gear and nets, which do not biodegrade in water. As a result, discarded or lost fishing gear, often referred to as "ghost fishing" rope, nets, and lines, pose a significant threat to turtles. They get entangled, leading to drowning or severe injuries that can be fatal.
The impact of entanglement on turtles is not limited to drowning. Entangled turtles may also suffer physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into their flesh. Additionally, they become more vulnerable to vessel strikes as they cannot manoeuvre away from boats and other watercraft. Smaller turtles may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear.
The exact percentage of turtles that die from entanglement in plastic fishing gear and nets is challenging to determine, as many dead turtles are never recovered from the ocean. However, research and surveys provide valuable insights. A survey by the University of Exeter found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. Another study, examining nearly 1,000 turtles found dead on Australian beaches, revealed that even a single piece of plastic could kill a turtle. Furthermore, out of 106 marine experts surveyed, 84% witnessed the death of turtles due to plastics, with some reporting turtles tangled in plastic debris, fishing gear, and nets.
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Plastic waste hosts invasive species, increasing damage
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a grave threat to marine life, particularly sea turtles. The ingestion of plastic by turtles has fatal consequences, leading to internal injuries, starvation, and death. While the impact of plastic on turtle populations is devastating, it also has broader ecological implications. Plastic waste acts as a host for invasive species, exacerbating the damage caused by plastic pollution and contributing to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation.
Plastic debris constitutes a significant portion of marine litter, with estimates suggesting it makes up to 87% of all marine waste. This plastic pollution affects all land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, with far-reaching consequences for the environment and wildlife. Among the myriad effects of plastic pollution, one concerning aspect is its role in facilitating the spread of invasive species. Floating plastic waste, including items such as bottles, bags, and packaging materials, provides a habitat for invasive organisms.
The "plastisphere" refers to the unique bacterial communities found on plastic surfaces in marine ecosystems. These communities host a diverse range of organisms, including heterotrophs, autotrophs, predators, and symbionts. The structure and composition of these microbial communities vary based on geographic location, season, and the type of plastic polymer. However, certain similarities are observed, such as the prevalence of specific phyla of bacteria.
Invasive species, such as the bryozoan Tricellaria inopinata, have been found to associate with plastic waste. This species is listed among the "100 Worst Invasives" in the Mediterranean, and its presence on plastic debris can lead to its dispersion over vast distances. The ability of plastic to act as a vector for invasive species exacerbates the ecological damage caused by plastic pollution. As plastic waste is transported by ocean currents, it carries these invasive organisms to new regions, where they can outcompete native species and disrupt the natural balance of ecosystems.
The impact of plastic waste as a host for invasive species extends beyond the marine environment. Floating plastics can carry invasive species and transport them to new regions, leading to the spread of invasive species on land as well. This contributes to the loss of biodiversity and further degrades ecosystems. The global trade of plastic waste also plays a role in this issue, as improper waste management in certain locations can lead to the introduction of invasive species in new areas.
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Plastic in the stomach makes turtles feel full, leading to starvation
Plastic ingestion is a massive problem for turtles, causing intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, and even death. One particularly distressing consequence of plastic ingestion is the imitation of the sensation of being full, which leads to starvation.
Sea turtles have existed for over 100 million years but now face a new and devastating threat: plastic pollution. Plastic bags can resemble jellyfish, algae, or other components of a sea turtle's diet, leading them to mistakenly consume plastic waste. Research suggests that 52% of the world's turtles have eaten plastic, with the carnivorous loggerhead and plant-eating green turtle consuming plastic in alarming quantities.
When turtles ingest plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines and lead to blockages. One of the most concerning outcomes is when the plastic mimics the feeling of fullness, tricking the turtles into neglecting to seek out other food sources. This means that turtles with plastic in their stomachs stop eating and receiving the nutrition they need to survive, ultimately leading to starvation.
A dying baby turtle that washed up on a beach in Florida had 104 pieces of plastic in its stomach. Experts say it was one of dozens of young turtles that have starved to death in the area after eating microplastics in the sea that year. The Gumbo Limbo Nature Centre posted a photograph on Facebook of the loggerhead sea turtle and the fragments of plastic found in its stomach after it died.
The problem of plastic pollution in the ocean is not isolated to one location. Globally, it is estimated that approximately 52% of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. A study by the University of Exeter in England found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. Out of the 106 marine experts surveyed, 84% claimed they had directly witnessed the death of turtles due to plastics.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic can kill turtles in multiple ways. Turtles mistake plastic for prey, consuming plastic bags, fragments of bottles, and packaging. These items cannot be digested and contain toxic additives that are released into the water and enter the food chain. The plastic can also block the intestines, leading to internal injuries, lack of nutrients, and death. Turtles can also die from starvation as the plastic in their stomachs imitates the sensation of being full. Furthermore, turtles can get entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, and drown.
Scientists estimate that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic, which is more than one turtle every nine hours. Research by the University of Exeter in England found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. It is estimated that approximately 52% of all sea turtles have eaten plastic.
It only takes one piece of plastic to kill a turtle. However, it was found that once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die.
Reducing the use of single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic bags, and disposable utensils, is crucial. Properly disposing of waste in appropriate bins and picking up any loose plastic waste can also help. Governments can play a role by implementing policies and laws to ban or limit single-use plastics. Public awareness campaigns and clean-up initiatives are also important in addressing this issue.
