Maya Ellison
Sea turtles are one of the oldest living creatures on Earth, dating back to at least 110 million years ago. However, their existence is now threatened by plastic pollution. Plastics in the ocean can cause physical harm to turtles, such as creating blockages in their digestive systems, piercing their intestinal walls, or getting entangled in their bodies. In addition, the toxic chemicals in plastics can cause serious health issues, including hormone disruption and infertility. The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles highlights the urgent need for global action to reduce plastic production and protect these ancient mariners.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingesting plastic | Mistaking plastic for food, e.g. plastic bags for jellyfish |
| Plastic causing physical damage to intestines and blockages | |
| Plastic tricking turtles into feeling full, leading to starvation | |
| Microplastics entering the food chain | |
| Plastic containing toxic chemicals | |
| Plastic causing feminization of sea turtles | |
| Entanglement in plastic | Discarded fishing gear, six-pack rings, plastic twine, plastic packaging, etc. |
| More than 1,000 turtles dying each year from entanglement | |
| 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic ingestion blocks turtles' intestines, pierces intestinal walls, and causes internal bleeding
- Turtles get entangled in plastic waste, like discarded fishing gear, and drown
- Plastic waste attracts turtles, who mistake it for food, and die from starvation
- Plastic debris in oceans is often consumed by fish, which turtles then eat, leading to plastic ingestion
- Plastic contains toxic chemicals, which cause serious health issues in turtles and other animals
Plastic ingestion blocks turtles' intestines, pierces intestinal walls, and causes internal bleeding
Plastic ingestion is a major threat to sea turtles. Sea turtles often mistake plastic for food, such as jellyfish, and ingest it. This leads to plastic causing blockages in their intestines, piercing their intestinal walls, and causing internal bleeding.
Research has shown that ingesting just one piece of plastic increases a turtle's likelihood of dying by 22%. Once a turtle has 14 plastic items in its gut, there is a 50% chance it will die. Plastic debris in a turtle's stomach can also mimic the sensation of being full, leading to starvation and death.
Turtles encounter plastic in the ocean, where it accumulates due to ocean currents. Humans use more than 380 billion plastic bags and wraps each year, and an estimated 11 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually. This plastic breaks down into smaller, more toxic pieces that are more easily ingested by turtles.
In addition to physical dangers, plastic contains thousands of chemicals that are hazardous to sea turtles, such as heavy metals and bisphenols. These chemicals can cause hormone-disrupting effects, leading to the feminization of sea turtle populations and infertility.
The impacts of plastic ingestion on sea turtles are severe, and efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect these ancient mariners are crucial for their survival.
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Turtles get entangled in plastic waste, like discarded fishing gear, and drown
Sea turtles are facing a serious threat to their existence due to plastic pollution. One of the primary dangers is entanglement in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, which can lead to drowning. Turtles, known for their strong swimming abilities, can easily become entangled in the fishing industry's discarded nets and lines. Once caught, the weight of the plastic pulls them down, making it impossible for them to surface for air, ultimately leading to their tragic drowning.
Research by the University of Exeter in England examined the impact of plastic entanglement on sea turtle mortality rates. Their findings revealed that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. This statistic is likely an underestimate as many turtles that die at sea are never recovered. The issue is further exacerbated by the fact that sea turtles often migrate through areas with high levels of ocean plastic, increasing their risk of entanglement.
Fishing gear is not the only plastic hazard that entangles turtles. They can also become trapped in plastic six-pack rings, plastic packaging straps, plastic balloon strings, and even abandoned car tires. These items can ensnare turtles during migration, feeding, or nesting, leading to choking, limb loss, and other irreparable injuries.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is not limited to entanglement. Turtles also ingest plastic, mistaking it for their natural food sources like jellyfish. This ingestion can cause blockages in their intestines, pierce their intestinal walls, and even trick them into feeling full, leading to starvation. The threat of ingestion is heightened by the fact that sea turtles are attracted to the smell of marine plastics due to the organisms that latch onto them.
To address the issue of plastic pollution and its impact on sea turtles, global efforts are being made to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastic waste. Organizations are advocating for policy changes, conducting research, and rehabilitating injured turtles. Individuals can also play a crucial role by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and supporting conservation initiatives.
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Plastic waste attracts turtles, who mistake it for food, and die from starvation
Plastic waste is a major threat to sea turtles, and plastic pollution plays a significant role in the decline of sea turtle populations. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food. For example, they may mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, or accidentally eat plastic straws on the seafloor along with crustaceans.
Research has found that sea turtles are attracted to the smell of marine plastics, likely due to the organisms that attach themselves to plastic debris in the ocean. Scientists estimate that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic.
When sea turtles eat plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, leading to blockages. It can also trick the turtles into feeling full when they are not, leading them to neglect seeking out other food sources and ultimately starving to death.
In addition to ingestion, sea turtles also face the risk of entanglement in plastic waste. They can become entangled in discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear", and other plastic debris while migrating, feeding, or nesting. A recent global study by the University of Exeter found that many turtles die each year from entanglement in plastic, with more than 1,000 turtles dying annually based on beach strandings alone.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is a serious issue, and efforts are being made globally to address this problem through clean-up campaigns, advocacy, awareness-raising, and the development of novel ways to repurpose plastic waste.
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Plastic debris in oceans is often consumed by fish, which turtles then eat, leading to plastic ingestion
Plastic pollution is a major threat to sea turtles. Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as jellyfish, or by accidentally consuming plastic present among their natural food. Turtles also ingest microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that have been consumed by fish or other animals. These microplastics are then eaten by turtles.
Research has found that sea turtles are attracted to the way marine plastics smell, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean. Scientists have estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic. When sea turtles eat plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick them into feeling full when they are not, ultimately leading to starvation.
The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for sea turtles. Plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. Additionally, the plastic in a turtle's stomach can mimic the sensation of being full, leading to neglect of other food sources and eventual starvation. The chemicals in plastics also pose risks to sea turtle survival, with certain chemicals linked to hormone-disrupting effects that can feminize sea turtle populations and cause infertility.
The presence of plastic in the ocean is a significant contributor to the declining health of sea turtles. With more than 170 trillion plastic particles estimated to be floating on the ocean's surface, the risk of ingestion by sea turtles is extremely high. This plastic pollution enters the ocean primarily through human activities, with landfills and other urban sources being major contributors. The impact of plastic on sea turtles highlights the urgent need for action to reduce plastic production and protect these ancient mariners.
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Plastic contains toxic chemicals, which cause serious health issues in turtles and other animals
Plastic is a major threat to sea turtles. Sea turtles are impacted by plastic pollution in many ways. Firstly, they ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food. For example, a plastic bag can look like a jellyfish, or a mylar balloon can look like a tasty treat for a turtle. Sea turtles are also attracted to the way marine plastics smell, likely due to the organisms that latch on to plastic debris in the ocean.
Secondly, sea turtles can become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, also known as "ghost nets" or "ghost gear", and other plastic debris while they are migrating, feeding, or nesting. Research by the University of Exeter in England found that 91% of turtles entangled in discarded fishing gear died. A 2015 study estimated that there are more than 15 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean, and this number is growing every year.
In addition to the toxic chemicals in plastics, the physical presence of plastics can also cause serious health issues in turtles. Plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding. Plastic in a turtle’s stomach can also imitate the sensation of being full, leading to starvation.
The impact of plastic on sea turtles is a global issue. A global study by the University of Exeter covering 43 countries found that turtles are being tangled up in plastic and other debris. The study found that more than 1,000 turtles die each year from entanglement in plastic, which is likely an underestimate.
The good news is that there are ways to help reduce the impact of plastic on sea turtles. Hundreds of organizations globally are working to fight plastic pollution through clean-ups, advocacy, public awareness campaigns, and novel ways to repurpose plastic waste. Individuals can also make a difference by reducing their use of single-use plastics, properly disposing of waste, and picking up any loose plastic waste.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic is a major threat to turtles and is causing their populations to decrease. Turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as plastic bags that look like jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food. Plastic can cause blockages in their intestines and even pierce the intestinal wall, causing internal bleeding.
Plastic gets trapped in turtles' stomachs, which prevents them from properly swallowing food. This results in starvation or makes them easy targets for predators.
Turtles often become entangled in plastic fishing gear, and once weighed down, they are unable to surface and subsequently drown.
Plastic contains toxic additives that are distributed into the water and enter the food chain. The chemicals in plastic cause serious health problems in turtles, such as hormone-disrupting effects that can feminize sea turtle populations and cause infertility.
Individuals can reduce their use of single-use plastics, properly dispose of waste, and pick up any loose plastic waste. Organizations can also address this issue by organizing cleanups, advocating to governments, and creating public awareness campaigns.
