Meghan Hodges
Marine animals are suffering from the effects of water pollution, with millions dying each year. The impact of human activity on the ocean is vast, with plastic waste, chemical pollution, and noise pollution all contributing to a planetary crisis. While the exact number of deaths is hard to pinpoint, estimates range from 100,000 to over 100 million marine animals dying annually due to plastic waste alone. This figure includes fish, mammals, and seabirds, with ingestion and entanglement being the primary causes of death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals that die from water pollution each year | 100 million, including fish, mammals, and sea birds |
| Number of marine animals that die from plastic ingestion or entanglement each year | 100,000 |
| Number of sea birds that die from plastic each year | 1 million |
| Number of marine mammal species that have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Number of sea turtle species affected by plastic | 7 out of 7 |
| Percentage of whale, dolphin, and porpoise species that have consumed plastic | 56% |
| Amount of plastic waste in the oceans | 75 to 199 million tons |
| Amount of plastic that enters the oceans each year | 33 billion pounds or 8 million tons |
| Number of pieces of plastic in the oceans | 5.25 trillion |
| Number of tons of discarded fishing nets in the ocean | 705,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Marine animals are facing a grave threat from plastic pollution, with an estimated 100,000 marine mammals dying each year from ingestion or entanglement in plastic debris. This figure is likely an underestimate, as it is challenging to accurately assess the full extent of plastic's impact on marine life. The problem is pervasive, with plastic pollution reaching even the most remote areas like the Arctic and the deepest point of the Mariana Trench.
Seabirds also fall victim to plastic ingestion, mistaking plastic debris like bottle caps for food. Once ingested, these plastic pieces can become lodged in their stomachs, preventing them from consuming actual nourishment. This ultimately leads to a slow and painful death.
Fish are not exempt from this issue either. Over two-thirds of the studied fish species from 500 different species had consumed plastic. Small plastic pieces, such as pellets, are often mistaken for food by fish. Mussels and oysters, for example, inadvertently ingest microplastics when they filter seawater to feed. A recent study of mussels from UK waters found that all samples contained microplastic particles.
The impact of plastic ingestion extends beyond immediate harm to the affected animals. Microplastics have the ability to adsorb toxins, which then accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms that ingest them. These toxins can be transferred up the food chain, threatening even higher-level species such as dolphins, whales, and humans. The long-term impacts of microplastics are still being determined, but their presence in the food chain is concerning.
The vast scale of plastic pollution and its detrimental effects on marine life call for urgent action. While the exact number of deaths directly attributed to plastic ingestion may be challenging to pinpoint, the overall impact on marine ecosystems is undeniable. Addressing this crisis requires collective efforts to reduce, recycle, and eliminate plastic pollution, safeguarding marine life for future generations.
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Entanglement in plastic
While it is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals that perish due to plastic pollution, entanglement in plastic is a significant contributor to their deaths. It is estimated that plastic pollution claims the lives of 100,000 marine mammals annually, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have been entangled in plastic. This entanglement, along with ingestion, has led to fatal consequences for these creatures, with over 46,000 individuals and 663 species impacted, according to a review of 280 papers.
Smaller marine animals, such as sea turtles, seals, porpoises, dolphins, and smaller whales, are particularly vulnerable. They may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear. Larger whales, while not at immediate risk of drowning, face exhaustion and the risk of infection from deep cuts caused by constricting plastic. Rare species, such as the humpback dolphin, unique to the waters of Australia and New Guinea, have been observed with marine debris tightly wrapped around their bodies, posing a significant threat to their survival.
To address this issue, organizations like NOAA Fisheries collaborate with partners to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They employ specialized tools and techniques, such as satellite transmitters and receivers, to track and safely disentangle whales and other marine life. Additionally, their Office of Protected Resources works with a network of partners to gather information and develop strategies to minimize entanglement risks further.
The problem of plastic entanglement in marine animals is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. With an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste currently in our oceans and 33 billion pounds added annually, the threat to marine life is ever-increasing. It is crucial to address the unsustainable production and disposal of plastic to mitigate the harm caused to marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
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Eutrophication
It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that are killed by plastic pollution each year. However, estimates range from 100,000 to 100 million, including fish, mammals, and seabirds. Marine mammals, in particular, face the risk of entanglement in abandoned fishing gear and ingestion of plastic, with 81 out of 123 marine mammal species known to have consumed plastic.
The excessive growth of algae blocks sunlight from reaching other plants, leading to their eventual death. As the bacteria digest the dead plants, they consume oxygen and release carbon dioxide. This process results in a depletion of oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive due to the lack of oxygen. Eutrophication has had notable economic impacts on industries such as commercial shellfisheries, which have suffered significant financial losses due to the degradation of estuaries and coastal waters.
To combat eutrophication, it is essential to implement sound agricultural and waste management practices. Additionally, the bivalve mollusk population, including oysters, clams, and scallops, plays a crucial role in naturally reducing nutrients through their filter-feeding activities. By enlisting the help of these indigenous residents and adopting effective management techniques, we can slow down or even reverse the detrimental process of eutrophication.
In conclusion, eutrophication is a pressing issue that threatens the health and diversity of marine life. By addressing the root causes and implementing sustainable practices, we can mitigate the impacts of eutrophication and work towards preserving the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
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Oil rigs, cargo ships, and boaters dumping trash
Marine dumping is the deliberate disposal of waste into the ocean from vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures. It is a significant contributor to water pollution and has devastating effects on marine life. Oil rigs, cargo ships, and boaters are among the main culprits of marine dumping, and their actions have severe consequences for marine animals.
Oil spills from tanker ships and offshore rigs are a significant concern. Accidents such as the Deepwater Horizon spill and the Gulf War oil spill have highlighted the catastrophic damage that can be inflicted on marine ecosystems. Oil spills not only harm marine life and seabirds but also disrupt the lives of communities living in coastal areas. The hunt for petroleum through offshore drilling leaks dangerous toxins into the ocean, threatening the complex and interwoven marine ecosystem.
Cargo ships are responsible for both point source and non-point source pollution. Point source pollution refers to single incidents like oil or chemical spills, while non-point source pollution comes from runoff and includes waste from various land-based sources such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and factories. Cargo ships also contribute to the problem of invasive species by transporting organisms to new habitats. Additionally, the noise generated by cargo ships can be detrimental, as it interferes with communication between dolphins and other marine mammals.
Boaters also contribute to marine dumping, with recreational boaters estimated to discard an average of half a kilogram of garbage into the water during each outing. While federal laws prohibit the disposal of garbage from boats, the trash generated by boaters can still have detrimental effects on marine life. Plastic debris can be ingested by marine animals, causing serious harm or death. Additionally, discarded fishing gear, such as nets and lines, can entangle fish, turtles, and seabirds, leading to a slow and painful death.
The impact of marine dumping by oil rigs, cargo ships, and boaters is far-reaching. It not only harms marine animals directly through ingestion and entanglement but also degrades their habitats and reduces oxygen levels in the water, creating "dead zones" where marine life cannot survive. The toxins released into the ocean through dumping also accumulate in seafood, posing risks to human health.
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Abandoned fishing gear
It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that are killed by plastic pollution each year. However, estimates range from 100,000 to 100 million, with the latter figure including fish, mammals, and seabirds. Abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear", is a significant contributor to this problem. It is estimated that ghost gear is responsible for the deaths of 66% of marine mammal species, half of seabird species, and all species of sea turtles. The slow and painful deaths of these creatures are caused by either ingestion or entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear.
Ghost gear is fishing equipment that has been lost or deliberately discarded in the sea, and it can continue to kill marine life long after it enters the ocean. A single abandoned net is estimated to kill an average of 500,000 marine invertebrates, 1,700 fish, and four seabirds. Over time, these nets, which are mostly made of plastic, break down into microplastics, which are then ingested by marine life and can enter the human food chain.
The vaquita porpoise, found in the upper Gulf of California, Mexico, has been driven to the brink of extinction by illegal and abandoned gillnets, with only around 10 individuals remaining. Ghost gear also damages valuable marine habitats, such as coral reefs and mangroves, and threatens the food sources and livelihoods of coastal communities and fishers. It is estimated that over 90% of species caught in ghost gear are of commercial value.
The economic impact of ghost gear on fishers is significant, including the cost of replacing lost gear. In one crab fishery in British Columbia, the annual replacement of lost gear costs over US$490,000. There is also a lack of global standards and coordinated efforts to address the issue, as well as a lack of effective compliance and enforcement mechanisms. WWF is calling on governments to develop a legally binding global treaty to address plastic pollution and to join the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, a global alliance dedicated to tackling this issue.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die from plastic waste alone each year. This includes fish, mammals, and sea birds.
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic, which can block their digestive systems and breathing passages. They can also die from entanglement in plastic, such as abandoned fishing gear, which can lead to drowning.
Plastic pollution has created dead zones where oxygen levels are too low for marine life to survive. It also disrupts the food chain, as many of the animals consuming plastics are part of our food chain.
Yes, it is important to reduce plastic consumption and switch to reusable or recyclable materials whenever possible. This includes using your own cutlery, food containers, and KeepCups instead of disposable alternatives.
The plastic pollution in the oceans comes from a variety of sources, including mismanaged waste, cargo ships, offshore debris from oil rigs and boaters, and abandoned fishing gear.
