Helena Joyce
Marine animals, including fish, are facing a grave threat due to the ever-increasing amount of plastic pollution in our oceans. Plastic debris in the ocean, often in the form of abandoned fishing gear or single-use plastic items, is causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of marine creatures annually. Fish, in particular, are ingesting significant amounts of plastic, mistaking it for food. This plastic ends up in the stomachs of fish, leading to intestinal injuries and death, and also moves up the food chain, affecting larger fish, marine mammals, and even humans who consume seafood. With an estimated 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean, the impact on fish and other marine life is immense, and it is crucial to address this issue to mitigate the devastating consequences for marine ecosystems.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Amount of plastic ingested by fish in the North Pacific each year | 12,000 to 24,000 tons |
| Amount of plastic entering the oceans each year | 8 million tons |
| Amount of plastic leaked into oceans in Australia each year | 130,000 tons |
| Amount of plastic trash ending up in oceans each year | 18 billion pounds |
| Amount of plastic debris in the ocean | 5.25 trillion pieces |
| Amount of plastic debris floating on the ocean surface | 269,000 tons |
| Amount of plastic microfibers in the deep sea per square kilometer | 4 billion |
| Number of seabirds killed by plastic pollution each year | Over 1 million |
| Number of whales, dolphins and porpoises killed by ghost gear entanglement each year | 300,000 |
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic pollution each year | 100,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Fish ingest plastic, causing intestinal injury and death
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis that has had a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Fish ingest plastic, causing intestinal injury and death. Seabirds, sea turtles, marine mammals (such as whales and dolphins), and fish are all highly vulnerable to plastic ingestion. They often mistake plastic for food or accidentally ingest it while feeding. Plastic bags, fishing gear (such as nets and lines), and microplastics are particularly dangerous.
Research has shown that the rate of plastic consumption by marine animals is increasing. Stanford ecologists have conducted a comprehensive analysis of plastic ingestion by marine fish, revealing that the problem is impacting species unevenly, with some more susceptible to eating plastic than others. The analysis reviewed 129 studies on 171,774 individuals of 555 species of marine fish. The data showed that over two-thirds of the fish species studied had consumed plastic, with 210 of these species being commercially caught fish.
The dangers of plastic ingestion include malnutrition, internal injuries, intestinal blockages, and starvation. Sharp edges can cause lacerations, and toxic chemicals can leach from the plastic, poisoning the animals and weakening their immune systems. Microplastics, small plastic particles less than 5mm in size, are easily ingested by a wide range of organisms and can accumulate in the food chain through a process called biomagnification. This leads to high concentrations of toxins in top predators, including humans who consume seafood.
The consumption of fishery products is an important source of microplastics in the human diet. Once ingested, microplastics reach the gastrointestinal tract and can be absorbed, causing potential health risks. While the overall risks to human health from ingesting microplastics in seafood are currently believed to be low, it is important to recognize that plastic pollution in aquatic environments will continue to increase. Therefore, further research and analytical methods are necessary to fully understand the impacts of plastic pollution on both aquatic life and human health.
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Microplastics in fish transfer up the food chain
Plastic pollution in the oceans is a global crisis, with plastic accounting for about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. This has had a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife, with thousands of sea creatures dying each year from ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.
Microplastics, tiny plastic particles ranging in size from 25 μm to 5 mm, have emerged as a widespread form of pollution found in ecosystems worldwide. They can enter the environment directly or through the breakdown of larger plastic debris. These microplastics are frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of aquatic organisms, including fish, and can be transferred up the food chain.
There are several suggested pathways for the uptake of microplastics in fish. One is the deliberate ingestion of microplastics that resemble their prey. Some fish species actively forage on microplastics that visually resemble their natural prey. Another route is the passive or accidental ingestion of microplastics while foraging, and the third is through transfer via the food chain. For example, primary consumers like copepods may ingest microplastics, which are then passed on to fish predators that eat them. This transfer of microplastics from prey to predator has been observed in several studies, highlighting a concerning pathway for microplastic pollution within aquatic ecosystems.
The presence of microplastics in fish has important implications for human health, as seafood accounts for about 17% of all animal protein consumed by humans. Fish and seafood are a major route of exposure for humans to microplastics, which can induce blockages and physiochemical disorders associated with the biotransformation of toxic chemicals. The long-term effects of microplastics on human health are still not fully understood, and further research is needed to assess the occurrence of microplastics in the marine food web and their potential impacts on human health.
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Abandoned fishing gear entangles marine life, often leading to death
Abandoned fishing gear is a significant contributor to marine pollution, and it poses a severe threat to marine life. Also known as "ghost gear", this lost or discarded fishing equipment continues to haunt our oceans, endangering and ensnaring a wide range of marine creatures.
Ghost gear includes any fishing gear that has been abandoned, lost, or discarded in the marine environment. This can encompass a variety of equipment, from nets and lines to traps and pots. It is a pervasive issue, with at least 10% of marine litter estimated to be comprised of fishing waste. This translates to a staggering amount of 500,000 to 1 million tons of fishing gear entering our oceans annually.
The consequences of this abandoned gear are dire. Marine animals, from small dolphins to massive whales, can become entangled, leading to injury, drowning, or a slow and painful death. The restriction imposed by entangled gear can cause animals to drown or starve, and the gear can also inflict physical trauma and infections. Smaller animals, such as dolphins, seals, and smaller sea turtles, are particularly vulnerable to immediate drowning if ensnared by large or heavy gear.
The impact of ghost gear is widespread, affecting 66% of marine mammal species, all species of sea turtles, and half of seabird species. Common victims include dolphins, sea turtles, sharks, whales, and sea lions. The suffering caused by this abandoned gear is immense, and it often results in a slow and inhumane death.
The persistence of ghost gear in our oceans is a pressing issue that demands attention. The WWF has recognized its deadly nature, referring to it as an "immortal menace" that must be addressed in the fight against plastic pollution. With no signs of degradation, this ghost gear will continue to wreak havoc on marine life for decades or even centuries, highlighting the urgent need for global action to tackle this crisis.
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Plastic pollution in the ocean is a global crisis
Once in the ocean, sunlight, wind, and wave action break down plastic into microplastics, which are often less than one-fifth of an inch across. These microplastics have been found everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench. They are virtually impossible to recover, and they spread throughout the water column, ending up in municipal drinking water systems and even the air. Scientists have found microplastics in people, and they are currently trying to determine the extent of the harm they cause to human health.
Plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. Thousands of seabirds, sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals are killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it. Research indicates that half of the world's sea turtles have ingested plastic, mistaking it for food, which can cause internal injuries and death. Plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. It is estimated that 60% of all seabird species have eaten plastic, with that number predicted to increase to 99% by 2050.
The best way to reduce plastic pollution is to prevent plastics from entering waterways through improved waste management systems, recycling, better product design, and a reduction in the manufacturing of single-use plastics.
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Over a third of the Atlantic Ocean is negatively impacted by pollution
Oceans are among the most valuable natural resources on Earth, governing the weather, cleaning the air, helping feed the world, and providing a living for millions. However, human activities have led to the pollution of over a third of the Atlantic Ocean, threatening marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
The Atlantic Ocean, like other oceans, is facing a global crisis of plastic pollution. Plastic debris, ranging from microplastics smaller than 5 mm to larger items such as derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels, is pervasive in the Atlantic's waters and on its beaches. This pollution has a direct and deadly impact on marine life, as animals can ingest or become entangled in it. Sea turtles, for example, may mistake floating plastic for food, leading to choking, internal injuries, or starvation. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and hundreds of thousands of seabirds are also affected annually.
In addition to plastic pollution, the Atlantic Ocean is also impacted by oil spills and noise pollution. Oil spills, both large and small, have long-lasting effects on the ocean and the air. The cleanup efforts can only remove a fraction of the oil, and sometimes hazardous technologies are employed, further exacerbating the pollution. Noise pollution, such as that created by high-intensity sonar and seismic blasts from ships searching for offshore oil and gas, disrupts the vital behaviors of marine life, including foraging and mating. These blasts have been linked to mass whale strandings and may push some species towards extinction.
Furthermore, the Atlantic Ocean, like all oceans, is a sink for carbon emissions from human activities. The absorption of carbon leads to ocean acidification, which is occurring at a faster rate than ever before in the planet's history. This change in the pH of surface waters has significant implications for marine ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
Collectively, these various forms of pollution are degrading the health of the Atlantic Ocean and the marine life within it. Addressing these issues requires a combination of efforts, including improved waste management, advocacy for stronger environmental policies, and the development of more sustainable practices to protect this valuable natural resource for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic annually. This plastic causes intestinal injury and death and moves up the food chain to larger fish, marine mammals, and humans.
Plastic harms fish in two main ways: ingestion and entanglement. Fish often mistake plastic for food, which fills their stomachs and leads to starvation. Large plastic items can also entangle fish, preventing them from escaping and causing injury or vulnerability to predators.
Hundreds of fish species, including those consumed by humans, have been found with traces of microplastics. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters that filter seawater for feeding are particularly vulnerable, with 100% of mussels sampled from UK waters containing microplastics.
