Kiera Jefferson
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that is having a devastating impact on ocean wildlife. Billions of pounds of plastic are entering the ocean each year, threatening marine life through ingestion and entanglement. Plastic waste is ingested by marine animals, leading to starvation, suffocation, and the biomagnification of toxic chemicals in their bodies. It also accumulates into large gyres, breaks down into microplastics, and embeds itself in shorelines and ecosystems, harming delicate habitats and endangering wildlife. Abandoned fishing gear, for instance, entangles and drowns marine mammals. With plastic production set to increase, urgent action is needed to address this crisis and protect ocean wildlife from the deadly effects of pollution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Marine debris | Majority of it originates on land and enters the ocean through littering, poor waste management, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events such as tsunamis and hurricanes. |
| Plastic pollution | Plastic is ingested by fish and other species, leading to starvation and suffocation. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. |
| Noise pollution | Noise from shipping and other industries interferes with marine species' ability to navigate, find food, communicate, and avoid danger. |
| Oil spills | Oil spills from the oil and gas industry can cause irreversible damage to marine ecosystems, with impacts lasting for decades. |
| Carbon emissions | Carbon emissions absorbed by the ocean lead to acidification, changing the pH of surface waters. |
| Fertilizer use | Fertilizer from yards and agricultural sources can accumulate in the ocean, impacting the health of marine ecosystems. |
| Abandoned fishing gear | Lost or abandoned fishing gear, also known as "ghost gear," is the most deadly form of marine plastic debris, impacting 66% of marine mammals, 50% of seabirds, and all species of sea turtles. |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic pollution kills marine wildlife through ingestion and entanglement
- Abandoned fishing gear, or 'ghost gear', is the most deadly form of marine plastic debris
- Noise pollution from shipping and other industries harms and kills marine species
- Oil spills and carbon emissions degrade ocean health and damage ecosystems
- Microplastics are ingested by fish and other species, contaminating seafood
Plastic pollution kills marine wildlife through ingestion and entanglement
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic in the oceans, covering around 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. It is estimated that, at current rates, plastic will outweigh all the fish in the sea by 2050. Plastic pollution is having a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife, with ingestion and entanglement being the two primary ways that marine animals are harmed or killed.
Ingestion
Marine animals ingest plastic pollution in a variety of ways. Seabirds, for example, feed from the ocean surface and mistake small plastic fragments for food. Similarly, fish often mistake small plastic pieces, such as pellets, for food. Molluscs such as mussels and oysters take in microplastics when they filter seawater to feed. Even dolphins, which are highly intelligent and usually avoid eating plastic, are contaminated through prey that has ingested plastic. It is estimated that 56% of the planet's whale, dolphin and porpoise species have consumed plastic.
When plastic is ingested, it can cause starvation, as it takes up room in the stomach. It can also lead to suffocation and toxic contamination over time, as plastics can absorb toxins which are then transferred to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. A recent study found that sea turtles that ingest just 14 pieces of plastic have an increased risk of death.
Entanglement
Plastic pollution can entangle marine wildlife, making it difficult for them to move, escape or surface to breathe. This can lead to drowning, starvation, injury and vulnerability to predators. Entanglement can also cause deep cuts in the skin, leaving the animals susceptible to deadly infections. Some of the worst offenders are abandoned fishing gear, such as nets and six-pack rings, which continue to ensnare marine creatures.
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Abandoned fishing gear, or 'ghost gear', is the most deadly form of marine plastic debris
Plastic pollution is a global crisis that is having a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife. Abandoned fishing gear, also known as ghost gear, is the deadliest form of marine plastic pollution. It is responsible for harming 66% of marine mammal species, half of all seabird species, and all species of sea turtles.
Ghost gear is fishing equipment that is lost or abandoned in the sea. It can continue killing marine life for decades or even centuries after it first enters the ocean. It is often made with synthetic materials, which exacerbates the issues of entanglement, habitat degradation, and microplastic pollution. Ghost gear can entangle marine animals, causing them to drown or starve, and it can also damage vital marine habitats such as coral reefs, seagrass beds, and mangroves. It threatens the food sources and livelihoods of coastal communities and fishers.
Sea turtles are particularly vulnerable to ghost gear. When abandoned fishing gear washes up on their nesting beaches, mother turtles can get trapped when coming to lay their eggs, and their babies are unable to climb over the debris to reach the sea once they hatch. In 2019, around 300 endangered sea turtles were found dead off the southern coast of Mexico, trapped in a single abandoned fishing net.
The impact of ghost gear is not limited to marine life. It also has negative economic impacts, posing dangers to livelihoods and navigation by boat. Studies estimate that over 90% of species caught in ghost gear are of commercial value.
Local, national, and international efforts are needed to address the problem of ghost gear. The WWF has called on governments to develop a legally binding global plastic pollution treaty that addresses this fundamental threat to marine wildlife.
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Noise pollution from shipping and other industries harms and kills marine species
Marine wildlife is facing a growing threat from human activities, with billions of pounds of plastic and other pollutants entering the ocean every year. One of the less understood but increasingly recognised dangers to marine life is noise pollution from shipping and other industries.
Noise pollution has increased dramatically in recent decades, threatening the natural soundscape of the marine environment. Ships, seismic surveys, explosions, construction, and sonar devices have made the ocean a loud and chaotic place, which is extremely damaging to marine wildlife. Marine animals are highly dependent on sound for survival, using it for communication, locating mates and prey, avoiding predators, navigation, and defending their territories.
Noise pollution interferes with these key life functions, causing behavioural and physiological changes. For example, increased ship noise has caused bottlenose dolphins to simplify their vocal calls, which may reduce the information content of their calls and decrease effective communication. Other documented impacts include temporary or permanent hearing loss, masking, injury, and even death.
About 55 marine species have been noted to suffer from exposure to noise pollution, including various whale species, dolphins, sea bass, cod, bluefin tuna, squid, and invertebrates such as lobster and crabs. The sensitivity of marine animals to noise pollution varies, with soft-shelled species like molluscs, prawns, and fish being particularly vulnerable.
To mitigate the impact of noise pollution, policies and regulations are needed to reduce propeller noise from ships and mitigate the sounds of sonar equipment, seismic air guns, pile driving, and construction. Quieter technologies should also be developed and implemented. Declaring noise-sensitive habitats as Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can also help, providing safer environments for species most impacted by noise pollution.
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Oil spills and carbon emissions degrade ocean health and damage ecosystems
Oil spills and carbon emissions are significant contributors to the degradation of ocean health and the damage to marine ecosystems.
Oil Spills
Oil spills occur when liquid oil, a fossil fuel, accidentally escapes into the ocean. This can happen during the extraction, transportation, or refinement of crude oil. Oil spills harm ocean life in two primary ways: fouling or oiling, and oil toxicity.
Fouling or Oiling
Fouling or oiling occurs when oil physically harms a plant or animal. Oil can coat a bird's wings, leaving it unable to fly, or strip away the insulating properties of a sea otter's fur, making it susceptible to hypothermia. Juvenile sea turtles can become trapped in oil and mistake it for food. Dolphins and whales may inhale oil, leading to respiratory issues and immune dysfunction.
Oil Toxicity
Oil is composed of numerous toxic compounds, which can cause severe health issues in marine life, including heart damage, stunted growth, immune system dysfunction, and even death. These toxic compounds can also make seafood unsafe for human consumption.
Carbon Emissions
Carbon emissions, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, have led to increased ocean acidification. This process warms and acidifies seawater, causing detrimental changes to marine life and reducing the ocean's capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, a crucial function in mitigating global climate change.
Additionally, carbon emissions contribute to the growing plastic pollution crisis. Plastic accumulating in oceans has become a global crisis, with an estimated 15-51 trillion pieces of plastic currently in the world's oceans. Marine life, such as fish and seabirds, can ingest plastic or become entangled in it, leading to injury or death.
The impact of oil spills and carbon emissions on ocean health and ecosystems is extensive and far-reaching. Addressing these issues through improved cleanup methods, reduced fossil fuel reliance, and better waste management practices is essential for mitigating the damage and preserving marine life.
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Microplastics are ingested by fish and other species, contaminating seafood
Plastic pollution is a global crisis, with billions of pounds of plastic accumulating in our oceans and on our beaches. Marine debris comes from human activity, with the majority originating on land and entering the ocean through littering, poor waste management, storm water discharge, and extreme natural events. This plastic pollution has a direct and deadly effect on marine wildlife, with thousands of marine animals killed each year after ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it.
Microplastics, in particular, pose a significant threat to marine life and seafood safety. Microplastics are tiny plastic particles that can be ingested by fish and other marine species, including shellfish, salmon, halibut, and oysters. These microplastics can act as carriers of microorganisms and release harmful chemical substances, such as organic and inorganic compounds, into the gastrointestinal tract of these organisms.
Studies have detected microplastics in up to 99% of seafood samples, including fish, shrimp, and shellfish. The highest levels were found in shrimp, possibly due to their feeding habits and accumulation of plankton, which often accumulates in ocean fronts and moves with tides, similar to microplastics. Rinsing seafood has been suggested as a method to reduce microplastic levels, but it is not a comprehensive solution.
The presence of microplastics in seafood also poses a risk to human health. Humans ingest a significant amount of microplastics through the consumption of seafood, and these microplastics can contain additives and toxic chemicals. While the health effects of microplastics are still being studied, they have been linked to potential gastrointestinal issues, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, and the release of harmful chemicals.
The plastic crisis in our oceans calls for urgent action to reduce plastic pollution and ensure a safe and healthy food supply for all consumers.
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Frequently asked questions
Pollution kills ocean wildlife in several ways. Marine animals ingest plastic, mistaking it for food, which can lead to starvation or suffocation. They can also get entangled in plastic-based fishing gear and drown. Plastic waste can also encourage the growth of pathogens in the ocean, increasing the chances of corals contracting diseases.
Seabirds, sea turtles, seals, whales, and other marine mammals are among the ocean wildlife most affected by pollution. Endangered wildlife like Hawaiian monk seals and Pacific loggerhead sea turtles are among nearly 700 species that eat and get caught in plastic litter.
Plastic enters the ocean through human activities such as littering, poor waste management, storm winds, runoff from farms, septic tanks, vehicles, and timber harvest areas. Some debris also comes from ocean-based sources such as derelict fishing gear and abandoned vessels.
To reduce plastic pollution in the ocean, it is important to focus on prevention and cleanup. This includes measures to minimise plastic leakage into the natural environment, making plastics less toxic, and increasing their reuse, repurposing, and recycling. Many countries are taking action, with over sixty enacting regulations to limit or ban disposable plastic items.
