Meghan Hodges
Plastic pollution is wreaking havoc on wildlife, killing or crippling marine and land animals. It is estimated that plastic kills 100,000 marine animals every year, with millions of seabird deaths occurring annually. Marine animals suffer from ingestion of plastic, mistaking it for food, and entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear. Seabirds, in particular, face the risk of starvation or suffocation from ingested plastic, while predators such as whales and dolphins are vulnerable to both ingestion and entanglement. Land animals, such as deer, camels, and elephants, are also victims of plastic pollution, ingesting plastic bags and other human waste.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by ocean plastic ingestion or entanglement each year | 100,000 |
| Number of sea birds that die from plastic annually | 1 million |
| Number of cetaceans killed by discarded fishing gear | 300,000 |
| Number of fish stocks that ingested plastic as of 2018 | Over 50% |
| Number of sea turtles affected by plastic pollution | 7 |
| Number of marine mammal species affected by plastic pollution | 81 out of 123 |
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What You'll Learn
Marine mammals and entanglement
Marine mammals, such as whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and sea turtles, are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris as they swim or while on the beach. This entanglement can be life-threatening, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of marine mammals and sea turtles worldwide annually.
Fishing gear, both commercial and recreational, abandoned or lost gear, and other types of ropes, lines, and trash, including plastic bags, pose significant risks of entanglement for marine life. The consequences of entanglement are dire, as restricted animals may drown or starve, or they may suffer physical trauma and infections from the gear cutting into their flesh.
Humpback whales, for instance, are particularly susceptible due to their long fins and movement near coasts. Among some species, entanglement in fishing gear is a leading cause of death. Research estimates that over 300,000 cetaceans perish each year from entanglement in fishing gear, although this figure is likely a gross underestimate due to the challenges of observing and reporting all entanglement incidents.
The issue of entanglement has prompted the establishment of response networks, such as the Large Whale Entanglement Response Network in the United States, to address reports of entangled large whales and other marine animals. These networks employ specialized tools and techniques, such as satellite tracking and boat-based approaches, to safely disentangle whales and other affected creatures.
To mitigate entanglement risks, preventative measures are crucial. Public awareness campaigns can promote safer fishing practices and encourage the reporting of entangled marine mammals. Implementing management strategies, such as prohibiting certain activities within protected areas, can also help reduce entanglement occurrences.
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Seabirds and ingestion
Seabirds are particularly vulnerable to the plastic pollution crisis. An estimated 1 million seabirds die from plastic ingestion annually, with millions more affected. This is due to the birds mistaking plastic debris for prey, which they then feed to their chicks. The chicks are unable to regurgitate the plastic and often die as a result.
Plastic pollution has been detected in remote islands and the middle of the ocean, thousands of miles from land. This means that even seabirds that live far from human civilisation are at risk of ingesting plastic. In fact, of the seabird species examined for plastic ingestion in the Arctic, 53% were found to have ingested plastic. This is likely due to the high incidence of plastic in the Arctic Ocean and sea ice, which is increasing over time.
Surface-feeding seabirds are more likely to ingest plastic, as they may interact with floating plastics. For example, 93% of fork-tailed storm petrels and 92% of short-tailed shearwaters contained plastic. However, diving seabirds, such as puffins, have also been found with plastic in their stomachs. This is likely due to the widespread presence of plastic in the ocean, with an estimated 8 to 10 million tons entering the water each year.
The ingestion of plastic has severe health consequences for seabirds. Plastic can obstruct their gastrointestinal tract, preventing it from being expelled. It can also reduce the volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. Additionally, plastic ingestion impacts the birds' kidney function, causing higher concentrations of uric acid and negatively affecting cholesterol and enzymes.
The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds has been inconsistently monitored, particularly in the Arctic where many seabird species have not been studied. However, organisations like the Arctic Council's Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group (CAFF) are working to increase knowledge and develop monitoring plans. Long-term monitoring programs are essential for understanding the impacts of plastic pollution on seabird populations and informing conservation strategies.
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Land animals and ingestion
Plastic pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to land animals through ingestion. Land animals are at risk of ingesting plastic debris, which can have fatal consequences. The ingestion of plastic can lead to intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, organ failure, and even death. For example, in Periyar, India, a wild elephant died due to plastic ingestion, which blocked its intestines and led to internal bleeding and organ failure. This incident highlights the vulnerability of land animals to the toxic effects of plastic pollution.
Plastic pollution on land can contaminate the soil and nearby water sources. A 2020 study found that terrestrial microplastic pollution has led to a decrease in species that live below the surface, such as mites, larvae, and other small creatures. These species are essential for maintaining healthy soil and ecosystems. The presence of microplastics in the soil and water can be ingested by land animals, causing various health issues, including liver and cell damage, and disrupting reproductive systems.
Furthermore, plastic pollution can indirectly affect land animals by increasing their vulnerability to predators. Impaired health and reduced ability to forage for food can make them easier targets for predators. The impact of plastic ingestion on starvation is also a growing concern, as it reduces the feeling of hunger and decreases food intake, leading to malnutrition and energy deprivation.
The accumulation of plastic waste in the environment, including landfills, poses a grave danger to land animals. As plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, it becomes more likely to be ingested by animals, mistaking it for food. This issue is particularly prevalent with microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles that can be found in a variety of products and environments. Land animals, such as elephants, hyenas, zebras, tigers, camels, and cattle, are all at risk of accidentally ingesting microplastics.
The toxic chemicals and pollutants found in plastics threaten the health of land animals. These toxins can cause cancer, reproductive issues, growth impairment, and cognitive problems. Additionally, plastic pollution can act as a vector for diseases, encouraging the growth and spread of harmful pathogens. The impact of plastic pollution on land animals through ingestion is a significant and pressing issue that requires urgent attention and action to mitigate its detrimental effects on the environment and wildlife.
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Pollution and bioaccumulation
Plastic pollution poses a grave threat to various animal species, causing immense harm and loss of life. Marine animals, in particular, are severely affected by plastic pollution, with approximately 100,000 killed by ingestion or entanglement each year. Seabirds, cetaceans (such as dolphins and whales), and fish bear the brunt of this crisis.
Pollution, including plastic pollution, is a significant driver of bioaccumulation. Bioaccumulation refers to the gradual build-up of chemicals or substances, such as pesticides, heavy metals, or pollutants, in an organism's body. This occurs when the organism absorbs these substances faster than they can be metabolized and excreted, leading to harmful levels over time. The key aspect of bioaccumulation is its potential to concentrate toxins in organisms at levels much higher than in their surrounding environments.
Bioaccumulation can have significant health impacts on organisms, including neurological damage, reproductive disorders, and cancer. It also disrupts ecosystems by harming species essential for biodiversity. The accumulation of mercury in fish is a well-known example of bioaccumulation. In marine turtles, the consumption of plants and sediments in aquatic environments can result in the accumulation of heavy metals and trace elements, leading to potential metabolic, endocrine system, and reproductive failure.
Naturally produced toxins can also bioaccumulate. For instance, the marine algal blooms known as "red tides" can result in local filter-feeding organisms such as mussels and oysters becoming toxic. Coral reef fish can accumulate a toxin called ciguatoxin from reef algae, causing ciguatera poisoning in humans who consume them.
Factors contributing to the rate of bioaccumulation include the chemical properties of pollutants, the organism's age, sex, and metabolic rate, the availability and concentration of pollutants in the environment, and the efficiency of the organism's excretory system. Addressing bioaccumulation requires cooperation between governments, industries, scientists, and the public. Conservation efforts, responsible consumer choices, proper waste disposal, and support for sustainable practices are crucial in mitigating the impacts of bioaccumulation on wildlife and ecosystems.
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![Proceedings of the 1979 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pollution Response Workshop, 8-10 May 1979, St. Petersburg, Florida 1979 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61p2VzyfGpL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Abandoned fishing gear
Plastic pollution is a grave threat to various animal species, causing immense harm and loss of life. Seabirds, in particular, are affected, with millions dying every year. Discarded plastic obstructs their gastrointestinal tract and fills their stomachs, leading to malnourishment and energy deprivation.
One of the most harmful forms of plastic pollution is abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear". Over 640,000 tons of fishing gear are left in the ocean each year, according to World Animal Protection (WAP). This abandoned equipment entangles and kills hundreds of thousands of marine animals, including whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, sea turtles, and birds. The gear may wrap around an animal's body, preventing it from returning to the surface to breathe, or it may cause painful injuries and infections.
Countless animals have fallen victim to abandoned fishing gear. In one instance, a great blue heron was found hanging upside down from a tree by a fishing line, with a fishing hook pierced through its wing. Despite being freed, the heron's injuries were too severe, and it died on the way to the veterinarian. In another case, a humpback whale was entangled in ghost gear off the coast of Mallorca, with a fishing net wrapped tightly around its body. Fortunately, a rescue team was able to save the whale.
The issue of abandoned fishing gear arises from both legal and illegal fishing activities. Illegal fishermen may deliberately dump their nets into the ocean to avoid getting caught, while legal fishing vessels may lose their gear due to poor weather or collisions with rocks or other vessels. Efforts are being made to address this problem, with organizations like PETA and Animal Rahat working to rescue entangled animals and raise awareness about the dangers of ghost gear. Additionally, WAP has launched the Global Ghost Gear Initiative to clean up the oceans and protect marine life.
The impact of abandoned fishing gear on marine life is devastating, and it is crucial that we continue to address this issue through education, community clean-up efforts, and the implementation of measures to prevent entanglements and rescue affected animals.
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Frequently asked questions
It is difficult to put an exact number on how many animals die from plastic pollution each year, but according to a World Wildlife Fund study, the number of marine animals killed by plastics is around 100,000 from various different species. This number excludes fish and marine reptiles that choke on plastic debris.
Marine animals are particularly impacted by plastic pollution, with many ingesting plastic products which can result in death. Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals, sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, whales, sea lions, and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among the nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
Plastic pollution affects animals in several ways. Marine animals ingest plastic debris, which can impair their ability to obtain adequate nutrition and introduce toxic substances into their bodies. They may also experience internal deterioration and disrupted eating patterns due to toxic chemical exposure. Additionally, animals can become entangled in discarded fishing gear and other plastic waste, leading to suffocation, injury, or deprivation of essential resources.
