Bronte Wells
Marine life is suffering irreparable damage from water pollution, with millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the oceans each year. It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that are killed by water pollution, but it is estimated that plastic waste alone kills over 100 million marine animals annually. This includes fish, seabirds, sea turtles, and marine mammals, which can become entangled in or ingest plastic debris, causing suffocation, starvation, and drowning. In addition, almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution, and there are over 500 locations recorded as dead zones where marine life cannot exist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution annually | 100,000-100,000,000 |
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic pollution annually | 100,000 |
| Number of seabirds killed by plastic pollution annually | 1,000,000+ |
| Number of species impacted by ocean pollution | 1,000 |
| Number of dead zones where marine life cannot exist | 500 |
| Amount of plastic waste in the ocean annually | 13,000,000-33,000,000,000 tons |
| Amount of plastic waste currently in the ocean | 75,000,000-199,000,000 tons |
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What You'll Learn
Over 100 million marine animals die annually from plastic waste alone
Marine life is suffering irreparable damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the oceans annually. The result is a planetary crisis with over 100 million marine animals dying each year, and the decay of the ocean's ecosystem. Almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution, and we now have over 500 locations recorded as dead zones where marine life cannot exist.
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, located in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, is the largest trash site on the planet. It is twice the surface area of Texas and outnumbers sea life by 6 to 1. The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre is 20 million square kilometres, created by four currents (North Pacific, Kuroshio, North Equatorial, and the California Current). 80% of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is debris from Asia and North America, and 20% is made up of offshore debris from oil rigs, Pacific cargo ships, and boaters dumping trash into the water. 705,000 tons of this is fishing nets, making up the majority of the waste.
There are an estimated 75 to 199 million tons of plastic waste in our oceans, with a further 33 billion pounds of plastic entering the marine environment annually. 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. 100,000 marine animals die from getting entangled in plastic yearly, and this is just the creatures we find. It is difficult to know the exact number of deaths, as many will go completely unrecorded.
Marine mammals, such as humpback dolphins, have been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around their bodies. If the plastic isn’t dislodged, it can cut deep into their skin, leaving the animals open to the risk of deadly infections. Marine mammals cannot breathe underwater, and the most common way that entanglement kills is through drowning. Abandoned fishing gear, or "ghost gear", accounts for about 20% of all marine plastic and 640,000 tonnes of the plastic that enters the oceans annually.
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Plastic ingestion kills marine life
Marine life is suffering irreparable damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the oceans each year. The result is a planetary crisis with over 100 million marine animals dying every year, and the decay of the ocean's ecosystem. Almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution, and we now have over 500 locations recorded as dead zones where marine life cannot exist.
Plastic ingestion is a significant cause of this crisis, with plastic waste killing up to a million seabirds a year. Marine plastics are estimated to contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually. Seabirds are now mistaking small plastic fragments that sit on the water's surface for food. When ingested, these small pieces of plastic can lead to starvation or suffocation. Some seabirds are able to regurgitate pieces of plastic, but petrels, for example, find this difficult. Northern fulmars are known to ingest plastic pellets, and the species is now monitored as an indicator of pellet pollution levels in the North Sea. Many species of seabird have also been found feeding plastic pieces to their young.
All seven species of sea turtles have been confirmed to eat marine debris. Sea turtles most commonly try to eat plastic sheeting and plastic bags, which may resemble their jellyfish prey. This type of debris can get stuck in their digestive system, making them feel full. Since they no longer feel hungry, they lose the urge to feed, which can lead to poor nutrition and starvation. A review by Kühn and van Franeker estimated that 32% of turtles have plastic marine debris in their stomachs.
Plankton, shellfish, birds, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles from all parts of the globe and from various depths of the ocean have been confirmed to ingest plastic debris. The amount and type of plastic they eat often relate directly to the animal's feeding behaviour. Passive feeders, or animals that filter their food from water or soil, may unintentionally eat microplastics with their food. Active feeders ingest plastic not only accidentally while feeding but also any debris inside of their prey.
Marine mammals do not understand the dangers plastics pose to them. Plastic bags ballooned with water can look a lot like squid or other prey to the seals and marine mammals that hunt them. Even species that don't identify prey by sight aren't safe. Toothed whales and many species of dolphins use a sophisticated sonar-type technique called echolocation to find their prey. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin, and porpoise species have consumed plastic.
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Plastic entanglement kills marine life
Plastic entanglement is a significant cause of marine life death, with an estimated 100,000 marine animals dying from entanglement in plastic yearly. This is a conservative estimate, as it only includes the creatures we find. The true number is likely much higher.
Large items of plastic, such as abandoned fishing gear, can capture and entangle marine mammals, fish, and sea turtles, preventing them from escaping and leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can also smother and break coral reefs, damaging vital marine habitats.
Even rare species are not spared the devastating effects of plastic entanglement. The humpback dolphin, found only in the waters around Australia and New Guinea, has been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around its body. This can cut off circulation and cause deep wounds, leaving the animal susceptible to deadly infections.
Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, sea lions, and smaller sea turtles, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement. Their smaller size means they can be easily trapped and restrained by plastic debris, and the removal process can be challenging and dangerous for both the animal and the rescuer.
The impact of plastic entanglement extends beyond the individual animals affected. Marine debris can smother and damage coral reefs, which house about 25% of all known marine life. The presence of plastic waste in the ocean also encourages the growth of pathogens, with corals in contact with plastic having an 89% chance of contracting diseases compared to only 4% for those not exposed to plastic.
The problem of plastic entanglement in marine life is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. It is essential that we work towards reducing plastic waste and preventing further harm to our ocean ecosystems and the diverse range of species that depend on them. Hundreds of species are impacted by plastic pollution, and it is causing irreparable damage to marine life and the ocean's ecosystem.
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Almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution
Marine life is suffering irreparable damage from the chemical pollution of the waters and the millions of tons of mismanaged waste dumped in the oceans annually. The result is a planetary crisis with an estimated 100 million marine animals dying every year and the decay of the ocean's ecosystem. Almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution.
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest contributors to this crisis. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. Large items of plastic can entangle marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Discarded fishing nets can also smother and break coral reefs, preventing their healthy growth.
Small plastic fragments can sit on the surface of the water and be mistaken for food by seabirds and other marine species, leading to suffocation, starvation, and toxic contamination. Microplastics, in particular, pose a significant threat to marine life. These tiny plastic particles can be ingested by marine organisms, transferring toxins to their fatty tissues. This bioaccumulation of toxins moves up the food chain, with higher concentrations found in apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is widespread, affecting almost 1,000 species. Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable, with an estimated 50% of sea turtles impacted by plastics, often mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, a crucial part of their diet. Seabirds are also severely affected, with 98% of Albatross believed to have ingested plastics.
The crisis extends beyond the death toll to include the degradation of marine habitats. Over 500 locations have been recorded as dead zones where marine life cannot exist due to pollution. The coral reefs, housing 25% of all known marine life, are under threat, with plastic pollution increasing their probability of death from 4% to 89%.
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Abandoned fishing gear is a major cause of marine life death
Water pollution kills an estimated 100 million marine animals per year, including fish, mammals, and seabirds. Abandoned fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, is a significant contributor to this tragic statistic. It is the deadliest form of plastic debris in the ocean, responsible for harming 66% of marine mammal species, half of seabird species, and all species of sea turtles.
Ghost gear is fishing equipment that has been lost or abandoned in the sea, and it continues to wreak havoc on marine life for decades or even centuries. The majority of ghost gear is made of plastic, which does not readily biodegrade. Over time, it breaks down into microplastics, which enter the ocean food chain and leach toxic chemicals.
A single abandoned net is estimated to kill an average of 500,000 marine invertebrates, 1,700 fish, and four seabirds. Marine mammals, such as dolphins, can become entangled in ghost gear, leading to drowning or severe injuries that result in infections. Even species that do not directly encounter ghost gear are at risk, as the gear can smother and break coral reefs, preventing their healthy growth and damaging the habitats of sessile animals.
The impact of abandoned fishing gear on marine life is not limited to physical entanglement or habitat destruction. It also contributes to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals in the food chain. Microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, and these toxins can build up in the fatty tissues of animals that consume contaminated prey. This biomagnification means that apex predators, such as great white sharks and orcas, face a significant threat from the ingestion of contaminated prey.
Addressing the issue of abandoned fishing gear is crucial in mitigating the devastating effects of water pollution on marine life. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has called on governments and industries to recognize the urgency of this issue and take coordinated action to prevent and reduce the occurrence of ghost gear in our oceans.
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Frequently asked questions
It is estimated that 100 million marine animals die each year from plastic waste alone. This includes fish, mammals, and seabirds.
Plastic pollution can kill marine life in several ways, including ingestion, entanglement, and toxic contamination. Marine animals may mistake plastic fragments for food, leading to suffocation or starvation. They can also become entangled in plastic debris, causing injury, drowning, or vulnerability to predators.
Almost 1,000 species of marine animals are impacted by ocean pollution. This includes endangered species such as Hawaiian monk seals, Pacific loggerhead sea turtles, and Steller sea lions. Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to plastic pollution, with millions of seabirds dying each year from ingesting plastic.
Plastic pollution in the oceans comes primarily from land-based sources, such as littering, poor waste management practices, and stormwater discharge. Abandoned fishing gear and derelict vessels also contribute to plastic pollution in the marine environment.
