Sofia Martinez
Plastic waste is a global crisis that is having a devastating impact on marine life. The ocean is a vulnerable environment, and once plastic enters it, waves and storms can carry it to even the most remote and delicate ecosystems. Marine animals are killed or crippled by plastic, with ingestion and entanglement being the two main causes of death. While it is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that die each year due to plastic pollution, estimates range from 100,000 to over 1 million. Seabirds, turtles, whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and fish are among the many species affected. With plastic production and pollution showing no signs of slowing down, it is crucial that we address this urgent problem before it's too late.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals that die from plastic every year | 100,000 marine mammals and 1 million seabirds |
| Number of sea turtle species affected | 7 |
| Percentage of all seabird species that have eaten plastic | 60% |
| Number of fish species in the North Pacific that ingest plastic | 12,000 to 24,000 tons |
| Number of whale and dolphin species that die from ghost gear entanglement every year | 300,000 |
| Number of plastic particles consumed by blue whales every day | 10 million |
| Percentage of plastic pieces in the world's oceans | 15–51 trillion |
| Number of tons of plastic waste generated by China | 59,079,741 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion causes internal injuries and starvation
Marine animals are suffering and dying from ingesting plastic. The ingestion of plastic by wildlife was first observed in 1966 when researchers found plastic container lids and toys in dead Laysan albatross chicks. A review by Kuhn and van Franeker found that over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, have been confirmed to eat plastic. Marine mammals, of course, don't understand the dangers plastics pose to them.
Plastic ingestion can cause serious health problems for marine animals. Sharp or rough plastic debris can create cuts in the digestive system, leading to infection and internal bleeding. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain with nearly 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. The cause of death was inflammation from these many pieces, all coated in various toxins, probably causing immense suffering.
Plastic debris can also get stuck in the digestive system, making animals feel full and reducing their urge to feed, which can lead to poor nutrition and starvation. Sea turtles, for example, commonly mistake plastic bags for their jellyfish prey, and when they eat them, it can make them feel full and eventually starve. Laysan albatross chicks that ingested large amounts of plastic have been found to have lower weights, as the plastic in their stomachs keeps them from eating a full meal.
In addition to the direct physical harm caused by plastic ingestion, there are also indirect effects on marine animals' health. Plastics can absorb toxins from the water or release chemicals added during production, which can then enter the body of an animal if ingested. These toxins and chemicals can have various adverse health effects, but more research is needed to understand their full impact.
The amount and type of plastic ingested by marine animals often depend on their feeding behavior. Passive feeders, such as filter feeders, may unintentionally eat microplastics with their food. Active feeders may ingest plastic accidentally while feeding, as well as any debris inside their prey. Some animals can regurgitate or pass indigestible materials, but if they are unable to do so, the plastic can cause blockages and other serious health issues.
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Marine animals get entangled in plastic and drown
Marine animals are swallowing plastic or becoming entangled in it at alarming rates. A report by the American NGO Oceana found nearly 1,800 cases of turtles and marine mammals that swallowed or became entangled in plastic objects off the American coast between 2009 and 2018.
Marine mammals cannot breathe underwater, and entanglement in plastic often leads to drowning. A recent study found that a Kemp's ridley sea turtle drowned after a plastic bag filled with sand wrapped around its neck. Similarly, a Florida manatee likely died from the weight of a plastic bag, straw, string, pantyhose, and fishing line in its stomach and colon.
In addition to drowning, entanglement in plastic can cause choking, physical trauma, or infection. For example, rare species such as the humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies. If the plastic isn't removed, it can cut into their skin and lead to fatal infections.
The problem of plastic pollution in the oceans is a pressing issue, with an estimated 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year being "ghost fishing equipment". This equipment, abandoned or lost by fishing vessels, continues to entrap marine animals, leading to their drowning or other causes of death.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating, and it is crucial to address this urgent problem through a combination of government policies, reduced plastic production, and increased recycling efforts.
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Plastic waste affects marine animal reproduction rates
Plastic waste is a significant threat to marine animals, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals killed by plastic pollution each year. The primary ways in which plastic leads to mortality are ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake floating plastic for prey, while animals such as dolphins and whales that use echolocation to find their prey can become entangled in abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost" fishing lines.
Sea turtles, in particular, are highly affected by plastic waste. Research indicates that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, which can cause internal injuries and choking. Additionally, plastic pollution on beaches can alter the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs, impacting reproduction rates. A similar impact has been observed in seabirds, with up to a million dying annually from ingesting plastic, which causes starvation as it fills their stomachs.
Large whales are also susceptible to the dangers of plastic waste. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain with nearly 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract, causing fatal inflammation. Another case involved a gray whale that stranded near Seattle in 2010 with over 20 plastic bags in its stomach.
Beyond mortality, plastic waste can have insidious effects on marine animals' health and reproduction. Plastic can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean, with corals that come into contact with plastic having an 89% chance of contracting diseases. Additionally, plastic can break down into microplastics, which can be ingested by smaller marine organisms and transferred up the food chain, potentially affecting the health and reproduction of various species.
The pervasive nature of plastic waste in the ocean is a pressing concern. Waves and storms can carry plastics to even the most remote reaches, and plastic's durability means it can persist for hundreds to thousands of years. Urgent action is needed to address this crisis, including minimizing plastic leakage, reducing toxicity, and promoting reuse and recycling.
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Microplastics are ingested by marine apex predators
Marine apex predators are not immune to the dangers of microplastics. These predators are at risk of ingesting plastic directly or indirectly through their prey.
The ingestion of plastic by wildlife has been observed since 1966, when researchers found plastic container lids and toys in dead Laysan albatross chicks. Today, over 700 species, including seabirds, fish, turtles, and marine mammals, have been confirmed to eat plastic.
Marine apex predators, such as seals, sharks, and dolphins, can ingest microplastics when they consume smaller fish or crustaceans that have already ingested plastic. These smaller organisms may have ingested microplastics directly or through filter feeding, where they consume microplastics along with algae or plankton. As a result, marine apex predators are indirectly exposed to the chemicals and pollutants that microplastics carry.
Microplastics can absorb toxins and pollutants from the surrounding environment, including pesticides and toxic metals. These toxins can then transfer to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them, including marine apex predators. While the long-term impacts of microplastics are yet to be fully understood, there are concerns about the potential health risks they pose to marine life.
In addition to the indirect ingestion of microplastics, marine apex predators may also directly consume plastic debris that floats on the surface of the water or is mistaken for prey. The physical effects of ingesting larger plastic debris can be detrimental, causing obstructions in the intestinal tract and leading to malnutrition and health deterioration.
The presence of microplastics in marine ecosystems poses a significant threat to marine apex predators, highlighting the urgent need to address plastic pollution in our oceans.
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Endangered wildlife are among the species that eat plastic
Plastic pollution is a critical threat to wildlife and human health. It is wreaking havoc underwater, killing or crippling marine animals. Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic for food, and for those that use echolocation, like dolphins and whales, plastic can be even more confusing.
Large amounts of plastic debris have been found in the habitat of critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals, including in areas that serve as pup nurseries. In 2019, a turtle hatchling was found dead with 104 pieces of plastic in its stomach. All seven sea turtle species are affected by plastic, with half of sea turtles worldwide having ingested plastic.
Plastic ingestion can block digestive tracts, pierce internal organs, choke, and starve animals. It can also cause intestinal injury and liver and cell damage. Seabirds, in particular, can suffer from starvation as plastic takes up room in their stomachs, giving them a false sense of fullness. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the individual animals that ingest or become entangled in it. Marine mammals, such as whales, are at risk of inflammation caused by indigestible plastic, which can lead to death, as seen in the case of a sperm whale that stranded on a Spanish beach. Furthermore, plastic pollution can have indirect effects on wildlife populations, such as reducing reproductive rates in sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two main ways in which sea animals die from plastic: ingestion and entanglement. Marine animals that rely on eyesight may mistake plastic for food, while animals like whales and dolphins that use echolocation to find prey can also be confused. Turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and fishing nets for seaweed. Seabirds and other creatures with stomachs full of plastic waste have been found dead, having starved as they felt full from eating plastic. Plastic can also cause intestinal injuries and inflammation, as well as deadly infections if it cuts into the animal's skin.
It is estimated that plastic kills over 100,000 marine mammals every year. This includes whales, dolphins, porpoises, sea turtles, sharks, sea lions, seals, and seabirds. Endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
To prevent the death of sea animals from plastic, it is essential to reduce plastic waste and improve plastic waste management. This can be achieved through recycling, reducing single-use plastic consumption, and properly disposing of plastic waste to prevent it from entering oceans and other natural environments. Additionally, advocating for stricter regulations on plastic pollution and supporting organizations working to address this issue can also help mitigate the impact of plastic on marine life.
