Kiera Jefferson
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to marine wildlife. It is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals annually, with a far-reaching impact on over 690 marine species, including seabirds, turtles, fish, and marine mammals. The primary causes of death are ingestion of plastic, mistaking it for food, and entanglement in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing gear. The consequences of plastic ingestion include malnutrition, weakened immune systems, internal injuries, and suffocation. With plastic pollution reaching every corner of the globe, from the Arctic ice sheets to the ocean floor, the crisis demands urgent attention to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems and the creatures that inhabit them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine mammals killed by plastic every year | 100,000 |
| Number of marine mammal species known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Number of sea turtle species affected by plastic | 7 |
| Number of plastic pieces in the oceans | 15–51 trillion |
| Percentage of plastic pieces in the ocean that are recycled | 14% |
| Number of seabirds that die from ingesting plastic | More than 1 million |
| Percentage of seabird species that have ingested plastic | 60% |
| Percentage of seabird species predicted to have ingested plastic by 2050 | 99% |
| Number of fish species found with traces of microplastics in their bodies | Hundreds |
| Number of tonnes of plastic that enter the ocean every year | 8 million |
| Number of tonnes of ghost fishing equipment that enter the ocean every year | 640,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic ingestion by marine animals
The impact of plastic ingestion on marine animals is not limited to physical harm but also extends to their reproductive success. Studies have found that plastic pollution on beaches affects the reproduction rates of sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs. Additionally, plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume in the stomachs of marine animals, leading to malnutrition and starvation. This is particularly evident in filter-feeding organisms such as plankton, shellfish, and baleen whales, which are unable to distinguish between plastic and their natural food sources.
The problem of plastic ingestion is not restricted to a few species; it affects a wide range of marine life, including fish, cetaceans, and marine mammals. Fish in the North Pacific ingest 12,000 to 24,000 tons of plastic each year, leading to intestinal injuries and death. Furthermore, plastic toxins can be transferred up the food chain to larger fish, marine mammals, and even human seafood eaters. A recent study found plastic microfibers in a quarter of fish sold in California markets, highlighting the extent of plastic contamination in our food chain.
The consequences of plastic ingestion by marine animals are dire, and the crisis is growing. With every bit of plastic ever made still existing, the weight of ocean plastics is predicted to exceed the combined weight of all the fish in the seas by 2050. This crisis demands urgent action to address plastic pollution and protect the vulnerable marine ecosystems and species affected by it.
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Entanglement in plastic fishing gear
Plastic pollution in the oceans has become a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic accounting for about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. This pollution has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife, with thousands of animals killed each year due to ingestion of or entanglement in plastic.
In the case of the humpback whale, Crinkle, a team of experts spent four days working to free the whale from 4,000 lbs of entangled fishing gear. This incident highlights the immense danger that plastic fishing gear poses to marine life and the extensive efforts required to mitigate the harm caused by plastic pollution.
The Global Whale Entanglement Response Network and the IWC Entanglement Response Network have been established to address the issue of entanglement in fishing gear. These networks provide training and coordination for response teams worldwide, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to handle entanglement incidents effectively. The response network for the Greater Atlantic region, for instance, focuses on disentangling marine mammals and sea turtles.
To prevent entanglements, organizations like NOAA Fisheries emphasize the importance of not leaving fishing gear or trash behind when fishing or boating. They also encourage community clean-up efforts to reduce the risk of entanglement for marine wildlife. Additionally, the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network, authorized in the mid-1990s, specifically addresses entanglement cases involving large whales.
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Plastic pollution in marine mammals
Plastic pollution in the ocean is a pressing issue that poses a direct and deadly threat to marine wildlife. Marine mammals, in particular, face significant risks due to plastic ingestion and entanglement. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals annually. The impact of plastic pollution on these creatures is varied and depends largely on the size of the plastic particles they encounter.
Large items of plastic, such as discarded fishing nets, ropes, and pots, can entangle marine mammals, restricting their movement and making them vulnerable to starvation, injury, and predators. This is a significant issue for a variety of marine mammals, from blue whales to dolphins and small crabs. An estimated 300,000 whales, dolphins, and porpoises die each year from entanglement in ghost fishing gear.
Smaller plastic fragments, including microplastics, can be mistaken for food by marine mammals, leading to ingestion. These plastics can cause intestinal blockages and injuries, resulting in malnutrition, weakened immune systems, and even death. The toxins adsorbed by microplastics can also transfer to the fatty tissues of marine mammals, leading to toxic contamination. This was evident in the case of a whale that washed up with 40kg of plastic in its stomach in 2019.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond the individual mammals affected. Plastic waste can encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean, increasing the likelihood of disease transmission. Research indicates that corals that come into contact with plastic have an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to a 4% likelihood for corals that are not exposed to plastic. This has far-reaching consequences for marine ecosystems and the species that depend on them.
The pervasiveness of plastic pollution in the ocean is a cause for concern. Plastic has reached every corner of the world's oceans, from the equator to the poles, and its presence is only expected to increase. With the continued production and use of plastic, the crisis will escalate, posing an ever-growing threat to marine mammals and the health of our oceans.
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Impact on marine ecosystems
Marine pollution is a combination of chemicals and trash, most of which comes from land-based activities. It can change the physical, chemical, and biological state of the ocean and coastal areas, threatening marine wildlife, ecosystems, and industries like fisheries and tourism.
The impact of marine pollution on marine ecosystems is far-reaching and detrimental. Plastic pollution, in particular, has a direct and deadly effect on wildlife. It poses a threat to both humans and animals. Fish get tangled and injured in plastic debris, and some animals mistake plastic for food and eat it. Marine mammals, seabirds, cetaceans, turtles, and many other species are harmed by plastic pollution. Research indicates that half of the sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, choking, sustaining internal injuries, or starving as they feel full from eating plastic. Hundreds of thousands of seabirds ingest plastic every year, with 32% of seabirds, including albatrosses, petrels, and shearwaters, having ingested plastic debris. It is predicted that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will have eaten plastic. The ingestion of plastic blocks seabird intestinal tracts, leads to malnutrition, weakens immune systems, and causes starvation, with dead seabirds often found with stomachs full of plastic.
Plastic pollution also affects marine mammals, with endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter. Marine debris, including discarded fishing nets, can entangle marine animals, leading to injury or death. In addition, small organisms like plankton, shellfish, and baleen whales that rely on filter feeding can ingest microplastics, absorbing the chemicals into their tissues. These chemicals accumulate in marine organisms, becoming more concentrated further up the food chain. Seals, polar bears, and large fish can have contamination levels in their bodies millions of times higher than the surrounding water.
Chemical pollution, including nitrogen-phosphorus pollution from agriculture and sewage, and pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals from industrial discharge, also has severe ecological impacts. Eutrophication caused by nutrient pollution leads to toxic algal blooms, which deplete oxygen levels in the water when they die off, creating "dead zones" where fish and other organisms struggle to survive. Heavy metals and other contaminants can accumulate in seafood, making it harmful for human consumption. Additionally, certain pollutants are recognised as endocrine disruptors and teratogens, reducing offspring survival rates and impacting the ability of marine species to reproduce.
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Human impact on ocean pollution
Human activities have had a significant impact on ocean pollution, with a wide range of pollutants entering the ocean from various sources. One of the major contributors to ocean pollution is nonpoint source pollution, which occurs due to runoff from sources such as septic tanks, vehicles, farms, and livestock ranches. Point source pollution, while less frequent, also has a significant impact and includes events such as oil or chemical spills and discharges from faulty factories or water treatment systems.
Marine debris, including microplastics, derelict fishing gear, and abandoned vessels, is another persistent problem affecting the entire ocean. This debris originates primarily from human activities on land, such as littering, poor waste management, and stormwater discharge. It entangles marine animals, leading to injury or death, and interferes with navigation and ecosystems.
The fashion industry, with its "fast fashion" culture, has also become a leading contributor to ocean pollution. The production of synthetic clothing made from plastics like polyester, nylon, and acrylic releases tiny plastic fibers that end up in the ocean, contributing to microplastic pollution. These microplastics are ingested by marine life, leading to physical harm and toxic exposure, and can eventually enter the human food chain.
Additionally, toxic chemicals such as mercury, lead, pesticides, and heavy metals enter the ocean through industrial runoff and wastewater. These pollutants contaminate seafood, posing risks to human health, including hormonal issues, reproductive problems, and damage to the nervous system and kidneys.
Light pollution from artificial sources like boats and coastal cities affects sea turtles and hatchlings, disorienting them and making it difficult for them to find the ocean, leaving them vulnerable to predators. Noise pollution from oil and gas exploration and naval sonar also impacts cetaceans like whales and dolphins, interfering with their communication and navigation abilities.
The impact of human activities on ocean pollution is far-reaching, and it is crucial to address these issues through improved waste management, reduced plastic usage, and the implementation of regulations to protect marine ecosystems and human health.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to know the exact number of marine animals that are killed by plastic pollution. However, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals every year. It is also estimated that plastic pollution affects 690+ marine species.
There are two main ways in which encountering marine debris can be fatal for marine creatures: ingestion and entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear. Marine animals often mistake plastic debris for food, which can lead to choking, internal injuries, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, and even death. Endangered wildlife such as Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
There are several ways to reduce the impact of plastic pollution on wildlife:
- Recycling and reusing plastic products
- Participating in beach or community clean-up events
- Supporting organizations working to reduce plastic pollution, such as the Center for Biological Diversity and WWF-Australia
- Advocating for policy changes to regulate plastics as pollutants and improve waste management practices
