Brian Barton
Whales are dying as a result of human activity, with plastic pollution being a key factor. Plastic waste in the ocean, including microplastics, poses a significant threat to marine life, and whales are no exception. While the exact number of whale deaths due to pollution each year is unknown, it is estimated that over 100,000 marine mammals, including whales, fall victim to plastic pollution annually. This figure is likely an underestimate as plastic ingestion can lead to slow and painful deaths through starvation or internal injuries, which may go unreported. With over 11 million metric tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, the problem is only growing, and whales are ingesting plastic in their feeding grounds, leading to devastating consequences for these majestic creatures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of whales that die from plastic pollution each year | 100,000 marine mammals, including whales, die each year from plastic pollution. |
| Number of whales that die from ingestion of plastic | 240 wildlife species, including whales, ingest plastic. |
| Number of whale species affected by marine debris pollution | 62 out of 92 cetacean species have been affected by marine debris pollution. |
| Number of whale species that have ingested marine debris | 59 out of the 62 cetacean species have ingested marine debris. |
| Number of whales that die from entanglement in plastic | 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises get entangled in nets and lines and die each year. |
| Number of whales that die from commercial whaling | Over 1,000 whales are killed each year for commercial purposes. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion
Marine life, including turtles and seabirds, are ingesting plastic in growing numbers. Over 240 species of marine life, including whales, are known to have ingested plastic, which can result in internal injuries and death. A whale shark, the biggest fish in the sea, is still threatened by ingesting small bits of plastic.
In 2015, scientists estimated that around 90% of all seabirds had ingested some amount of plastic. Dead birds have been found with over 25 pieces of plastic in their stomachs. In 2018, a juvenile sperm whale was found dead on a beach in Spain with just under 30 kilograms of plastic in its digestive tract. Researchers pulled nearly 90 pounds of plastic waste out of the stomach of a young cuvier beaked whale that died in the Davao Gulf of the Philippines. The whale starved to death because its stomach was full of plastic, not food.
Whales are ingesting plastic in larger quantities than previously thought, and nearly all of it comes from their prey, not from the enormous volumes of seawater they gulp when feeding. Humpback whales that feed on krill ingest an estimated 200,000 pieces of microplastic per day, while those eating mostly krill ingest at least 1 million pieces. Fin whales, which feed on both krill and fish, ingest an estimated 3 million to 10 million microplastic pieces per day. Consumption rates are likely even higher for whales foraging in more polluted regions, such as the Mediterranean Sea.
The impact of microplastics on whales is not yet fully understood. Microplastics could be scratching the linings of whales' stomachs, or they could be absorbed into the bloodstream. There is also a concern that if krill consumes microplastics, they may become less nutritious, which could impact the calorie intake of whales.
To address the problem of plastic ingestion in whales, it is important to reduce plastic pollution in the ocean. This can be done by avoiding single-use plastic products, recycling plastic, and supporting initiatives such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), which aims to prevent the loss of fishing gear and reduce the number of marine animals that become entangled in abandoned fishing gear.
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Entanglement in fishing gear
Whales are not the only victims of ghost gear, the abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear that makes up about 10% of ocean plastic pollution. Dolphins, seals, sea turtles, and sharks are also at risk of entanglement, which can cause mild to severe injuries and, if not removed, lead to drowning or suffocation. The use of stronger endlines has resulted in more severe injuries, increasing adult female mortality and reducing calf production.
Some whales, such as the North Atlantic right whale, are more susceptible to entanglement than others. It is estimated that 82% of this species has experienced entanglement during their life. In response to the high number of entanglement cases, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has implemented regulations since the late 1990s as part of an Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan to reduce entanglement-related deaths of right whales. However, these regulations do not appear to be effective, as right whale deaths attributed to fishing gear have increased since 1997.
To address the issue of entanglement, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has established an Entanglement Response Network, which includes a Mexican Entanglement Response Team. This team received training from the IWC Network and has successfully disentangled humpback whales from thousands of pounds of fishing gear. The IWC also offers entanglement response training to scientists, conservationists, whale-watching operators, and government representatives, among others, to build a global network of professional response teams.
To prevent whale entanglement, the WWF recommends that countries join the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) and implement best management practices for fishing gear. Additionally, the WWF has worked to shift shipping lanes and establish whale sanctuaries to protect critical feeding and breeding areas and migration routes of whales.
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Pollution from boats
While it is difficult to determine exactly how many whales die each year from pollution caused by boats, it is clear that this is a significant issue.
Collisions with vessels
Collisions with ships are a frequent cause of premature death for several highly endangered marine mammals, including the North Atlantic right whale, blue whale, and Florida manatee. Whales are already vulnerable, and the loss of even a few individuals can mean the difference between moving toward recovery or being pushed further toward extinction. It is estimated that 80 whales die each year off the U.S. West Coast due to collisions, and in the Atlantic, roughly a third of all right whale deaths are caused by vessel strikes.
Noise pollution
Noise pollution from boats and shipping activities can also indirectly contribute to whale deaths. The increasing levels of noise from boats, seismic surveys, and military exercises can disrupt whale communication and even damage their hearing. This disturbance can exclude whales from critical feeding and breeding grounds and disrupt their migratory paths, impacting their ability to reproduce and survive.
Plastic pollution
Plastic pollution from boats and marine industries also poses a significant threat to whales. Over 10% of plastic pollution in the ocean is lost or abandoned fishing gear, known as "ghost gear." This gear can entangle and kill whales and other marine life. Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles, can be ingested by whales, leading to internal injuries and death. These microplastics can also break down into toxic chemical compounds, which work their way up the marine food web and accumulate in the bodies of whales, causing health issues.
To reduce whale deaths caused by pollution from boats, measures such as changing shipping routes, implementing speed limits, and improving waste management practices to prevent plastic leakage are necessary.
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Ocean warming
The warming oceans also affect the seasonal ice coverage and thickness, impacting the migration routes of certain whale species. Beluga whales, for example, may become trapped in the unpredictable ice patterns, leading to a lack of prey and increased vulnerability to predators. Additionally, the changing ocean conditions can cause whales to dive longer, deeper, and more frequently in search of food, resulting in increased stress and reduced reproductive success, further endangering populations like the Cook Inlet Beluga whale.
Southern Resident killer whales are also impacted by ocean warming, as it affects the growth and migration patterns of their primary prey, salmon. Warmer ocean temperatures can elevate the concentration of environmental pollutants, leading to higher contaminant levels in the whales' bodies, affecting their immune systems and reproductive abilities.
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Lack of political will
While plastic pollution is a significant contributor to whale deaths, with over 240 marine species, including whales, ingesting plastic, the lack of political will to address this issue is concerning. Despite the efforts of organisations like WWF, which has been working to protect whales for 50 years, there is a notable absence of sufficient political commitment to tackle this pressing matter.
The WWF has actively advocated for whale conservation, working to establish sanctuaries, shift shipping lanes, and raise awareness about the need for conservation. However, their efforts are hindered by a lack of support from governments and policymakers. This lack of political will can be attributed to various factors, including a lack of awareness about the scale of the problem and the impact of plastic pollution on whale populations.
In many countries, the issue of whale deaths due to pollution is not prioritised, and inaction prevails. This inaction has severe consequences, as plastic pollution continues to threaten whale populations and the health of our oceans. While some countries, like the Philippines, have laws aimed at curbing plastic pollution, enforcement has been lacking, and the challenge of managing waste disposal across thousands of islands complicates their efforts.
The plastic pollution crisis extends beyond national borders, underscoring the urgent need for a united global response. International agreements, such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI), which addresses the issue of lost or abandoned fishing gear, are crucial steps towards tackling this issue. However, the success of such initiatives relies on widespread adoption and implementation by countries worldwide.
The impact of plastic pollution on whales is devastating, with whales ingesting massive amounts of plastic, leading to internal injuries and death. The presence of microplastics, resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic pieces, further exacerbates the problem, as these tiny particles enter the food chain and accumulate in the bodies of whales and their prey. A concerted effort by governments and international organisations is necessary to address this crisis effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic waste in the ocean can kill whales in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Whales often mistake plastic for food, which can block their breathing passages and stomachs, causing starvation or gastric obstruction. They can also ingest toxic chemicals that have leached into the plastic, which can cause internal injuries.
It is difficult to determine exactly how many whales die from plastic pollution each year. However, it is estimated that 100,000 marine mammals die every year as a result of plastic pollution, and over 240 species of marine life, including whales, are known to ingest plastic.
Whales are also threatened by ship collisions, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat loss. They are also affected by ocean acidification and rising ocean temperatures. Despite a ban on commercial whaling, three countries (Iceland, Japan, and Norway) continue to hunt whales for commercial purposes, killing over 1,000 whales a year.
It is estimated that over 5 million tons of plastic are currently in the ocean, with more than 11 million metric tons flowing into the ocean each year. Plastic does not decompose, but instead breaks down into smaller pieces called microplastics, which are ingested by whales and their prey, working their way up the marine food chain.
Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, especially single-use plastic, and recycle plastic products when possible. On a global scale, a united response is needed to prevent and control plastic pollution, with clear obligations and responsibilities for countries and industries to reduce plastic waste and leakage into the oceans.
