Plastic Pollution: Killing Seals And Other Marine Life

Plastic pollution is a pressing environmental concern, with billions of pounds of plastic making up about 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. Marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, and it is estimated that over 100,000 marine mammals die from plastic annually. Seals, in particular, are affected by plastic pollution through ingestion and entanglement. Seals are naturally playful and curious, and often end up playing with plastic rubbish and ocean pollution, such as fishing lines, nets, and packing straps. Once entangled, seals cannot free themselves, and the plastic waste tightens as they grow, leading to a slow and painful death. In addition, microplastics, which are tiny pieces of degraded plastic, are ingested by seals, leading to toxic chemical buildup in their bodies, which can increase the chance of disease and affect reproduction.

Plastic ingestion

Marine animals, including seals, are ingesting plastic pollution, which is having devastating effects on their health. Seals, by nature, are playful and curious creatures, and they often end up playing with plastic rubbish and ocean pollution, such as fishing lines, nets, packing straps, and plastic bags.

Seals are apex predators in their ecosystem and feed on mackerel, which feed on plankton. Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic, can be traced through every trophic level, through a process called trophic transfer. Plankton, the first-order consumers, may accidentally consume microplastics when feeding on phytoplankton, seagrass, or algae. Wild Atlantic mackerel are exposed to microplastics when feeding on zooplankton, and seals, in turn, consume the mackerel.

Research has found microplastics in the feces of grey seals, indicating that they successfully excreted the waste material without direct harm. However, the lead researcher of the study reminds us that long-lived toxins can latch onto the plastic particles and enter the body, causing bioaccumulation. These toxins can lead to endocrine disruption and alterations to immune system function, posing a concern for scientists studying carnivorous mammals, including seals and humans.

The ingestion of plastic has severe consequences for marine life. It can cause intestinal injuries and even death. Additionally, plastic ingestion reduces the storage volume of the stomach, leading to starvation. Studies have found that a quarter of fish in California markets and half of sea turtles worldwide had ingested plastic. Furthermore, plastic pollution on beaches is affecting the reproduction rates of sea turtles by altering the temperature of the sand where incubation occurs.

The problem of plastic ingestion is widespread, and urgent action is needed to address this crisis.

Entanglement in plastic debris

Seals, by nature, are playful and curious animals, and they often end up playing with plastic rubbish and ocean pollution, such as fishing lines, fishing nets, packing straps, and plastic bags. Once entangled, seals cannot free themselves, and as they grow, the plastic waste tightens around their necks, flippers, or mouths, leading to a slow and painful death.

The impact of entanglement on seals and other marine life is not limited to physical trauma and the risk of drowning. Entangled animals may also suffer infections from the gear cutting into their flesh, and their movement may be restricted, making them more susceptible to vessel strikes. In addition, smaller marine animals, such as seals, may drown immediately if entangled in large or heavy gear.

The problem of entanglement in plastic debris is closely linked to the increasing volume of ghost gear in our oceans. Ghost gear is estimated to make up about 10% of the plastic waste in our oceans, and as this gear breaks down into microplastics, it further endangers marine life. Microplastics are ingested by seals and other animals, leading to health issues and affecting reproduction.

To address the issue of entanglement, it is crucial to reduce the amount of plastic waste entering our oceans. This can be achieved by preventing illegal and industrial fishing fleets from discarding gear and promoting sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.

Plastic in seafood

A study found plastic in the guts of a quarter of fish sold in California markets, with similar findings reported in Scotland and Germany. These plastics can cause intestinal blockages and injuries, leading to reduced appetite and starvation. In some cases, the ingestion of plastic can also lead to a false sense of fullness, causing the affected animal to stop feeding and eventually starve. This issue is particularly prevalent among sea turtles, with research indicating that half of sea turtles worldwide have ingested plastic, and a recent study showing that ingesting just 14 pieces of plastic significantly increases their risk of death.

The problem of plastic in seafood is not limited to physical blockages. Plastics can contain toxic chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on the health of marine organisms and humans alike. These toxins can cause endocrine disruption and immune system alterations, leading to increased disease susceptibility and potential reproductive issues. Furthermore, plastics can act as a vector for pathogens, with corals that come into contact with plastic having an 89% chance of contracting diseases, compared to a 4% likelihood for corals that are plastic-free.

The issue of plastic in seafood is a pressing global concern, with plastic pollution reaching every corner of the world's oceans. It is essential to address this issue through sustainable solutions, such as reducing single-use plastic production and properly disposing of plastic waste, to protect both marine life and human health.

Ghost gear

The problem of ghost gear is widespread, with hotspots such as the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, where over a million abandoned lobster and crab pots are estimated to be actively ghost fishing. Ghost gear also threatens species already at risk, with 45% of marine mammals on the IUCN Red List negatively impacted by it. Globally, 90% of species caught in lost gear are commercially valuable, and some fish stocks experience declines of up to 30% due to ghost gear.

The Global Ghost Gear Initiative (GGGI) is a collaborative effort by various stakeholders, including the fishing industry, private sector, NGOs, academia, and governments, to address the issue of lost and abandoned fishing gear. The initiative aims to remove ghost gear from the ocean and prevent more gear from being lost or abandoned.

Plastic pollution on beaches

Seals, in particular, are vulnerable to the impacts of plastic pollution on beaches. As playful and curious creatures, they often interact with plastic items that wash up on shores, such as plastic bags, fishing lines, and packing straps. This curiosity can lead to entanglement, causing gruesome injuries and even death as the plastic tightens around their necks, flippers, or mouths as they grow.

In addition to entanglement, ingestion of microplastics is a critical issue for seals and other marine life. Microplastics, tiny particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastics, are easily consumed by sea animals. Seals that feed on whole fish end up ingesting microplastics, which can carry toxic chemicals and persistent pollutants. These toxins can cause endocrine disruption and immune system dysfunction, leading to long-term health issues and even death.

The impact of plastic pollution on beaches extends beyond the individual animals affected. Plastic waste on beaches can contaminate the sand, altering the temperatures required for successful reproduction in marine species such as sea turtles. This contamination not only affects the reproductive rates of sea turtles but also contributes to the decline of other species that rely on clean and safe beaches for nesting and breeding.

The plastic pollution crisis on beaches is a direct result of human negligence. From littered beaches to abandoned fishing gear, human actions have severe consequences for marine life. Sustainable solutions are urgently needed to address this global crisis and protect seals and other marine animals from the devastating effects of plastic pollution on their habitats.

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