Helena Joyce
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that is wreaking havoc on marine animals, killing or crippling them. It affects marine animals in several ways, including entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination. While it is challenging to estimate the number of marine animals that die from plastic pollution, the impact is significant, and it is believed to kill at least 100,000 marine animals each year, including fish, seabirds, cetaceans, turtles, and many more. Plastic waste in the ocean, such as discarded fishing gear, has entangled and killed thousands of marine creatures, while the ingestion of plastic has blocked the digestive systems of many others, leading to starvation and death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution | 100,000 marine animals per year. This includes entanglement and ingestion. This number is likely an underestimate. |
| Marine animals most vulnerable to plastic pollution | Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, coral reefs, seals, sea lions, fish, humpback dolphins, albatross, and other seabirds. |
| Impact of plastic pollution on marine animals | Ingestion can block digestive systems, leading to starvation. Entanglement can cause drowning, severe injuries, and infections. Microplastics can be ingested by tiny marine creatures, entering the food chain and eventually making their way to humans. |
| Plastic waste in oceans | 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic waste estimated to be in oceans. 8-10 million tons of plastic enter the oceans each year. |
| Plastic waste and human health | People who eat seafood are found to be contaminated by POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants). The direct medical and health costs of polluted waters are $16 billion globally each year. |
| Air pollution and animals | Smoke inhalation can cause thermal injuries to pets' airways. Air pollution contributes to respiratory diseases in animals and can negatively affect wildlife by changing plant communities. Acid rain kills trees and harms animals, fish, and other wildlife, negatively impacting their habitat and food sources. Birds are directly threatened by coal power production exhaust, which damages their respiratory systems. |
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What You'll Learn
- Marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals are dying due to plastic ingestion and entanglement
- Seabirds are dying from ingesting plastic, which obstructs their digestive tracts
- Plastic pollution is killing coral reefs
- Sea turtles are ingesting plastic, causing blockages in their digestive systems
- Abandoned fishing gear entangles and kills cetaceans
Marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals are dying due to plastic ingestion and entanglement
Marine mammals, including whales, dolphins, and seals, are highly vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic pollution in the ocean. Whales, considered the "elephants of the sea", are social creatures that spend most of their time in deep waters searching for food. However, plastic waste is infiltrating their habitat, posing a significant threat to their survival. Sperm whales, in particular, have been found with large amounts of ingested plastic, primarily plastic bags, which can resemble their natural prey, squid. This ingestion of plastic can lead to fatal internal injuries and blockages, causing difficulty in swimming and increasing the risk of collisions with ships or boats.
Dolphins and porpoises, known for their intelligence and playful nature, are also severely impacted by plastic pollution. They ingest plastic pollution, which can cause internal injuries, blockages, and illness. Additionally, the toxins from plastic bioaccumulate in their bodies, affecting their immune system and leaving them more susceptible to diseases. These toxins can also disrupt their endocrine, reproductive, and nervous systems.
The issue of plastic ingestion extends beyond the immediate harm it causes to individual whales, dolphins, and porpoises. As predator species, the toxins they ingest can biomagnify as they move up the food chain, impacting other marine organisms that feed on them. This transfer of toxins through the food chain contributes to the widespread contamination of marine ecosystems.
Entanglement in plastic waste is another critical danger faced by marine mammals. Seals, for instance, are at risk from the significant amount of plastic debris in their habitats, including areas designated as pup nurseries. Abandoned fishing nets, or "ghost gear," pose a particular threat to seals and other marine mammals, often leading to injury and death. It is estimated that 100,000 marine animals die from entanglement in plastic each year, with discarded fishing nets and gear playing a significant role in these tragic deaths.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine mammals is a pressing global issue. With plastic waste expected to outweigh fish in the sea by 2050, the race to address this crisis is more urgent than ever. Efforts to reduce plastic pollution, such as the Global Ghost Gear Initiative, are vital to protecting marine mammals and preserving the health of our oceans.
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Seabirds are dying from ingesting plastic, which obstructs their digestive tracts
Marine animals are dying due to pollution, with plastic waste in the ocean being a significant contributor. Seabirds are among the species that are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of plastic pollution. Ingesting plastic has led to the deaths of many seabirds, as it obstructs their digestive tracts and causes irreversible damage.
Seabirds, including albatross and shearwaters, often mistake plastic debris for prey, such as fish eggs, and feed it to their chicks. The ingested plastic can block their digestive systems, leading to starvation and death. In some cases, the plastic pieces are too large to pass through the bird's digestive tract, causing strangulation. Additionally, the sharp edges of plastic debris can cause internal injuries and infections, further compromising the health of these birds.
The problem of plastic ingestion among seabirds is widespread and increasing. In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds were found with plastic in their stomachs, while recent studies show that this number has increased to over 80%. It is projected that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic. This issue is not limited to adult birds; chicks are also affected when their parents inadvertently feed them plastic. The impact of plastic ingestion on the health and survival of seabirds is severe, and it is a significant contributing factor to the decline of seabird populations.
The ingestion of plastic by seabirds has led to the coining of a new term, "plasticosis," which describes the severe stomach damage caused by ingesting plastic. Plasticosis affects the growth, nutrition, and overall health of seabirds. It causes irreversible stomach scarring, reduces their appetite, and compromises their ability to transport food back to their nests. The presence of plastic in their digestive tracts triggers a range of negative health effects, highlighting the devastating consequences of plastic pollution on these vulnerable creatures.
The impact of plastic pollution on seabirds is not limited to ingestion. Seabirds can also become entangled in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing nets and lines, which can lead to injury, infection, and drowning. The entanglement in plastic restricts their movement, making it difficult for them to escape predators or catch prey. This dual threat of ingestion and entanglement underscores the urgent need for global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect vulnerable seabird species.
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Plastic pollution is killing coral reefs
Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue that is growing in magnitude. Marine animals are dying due to plastic ingestion, entanglement, and chemical contamination. Sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and coral reefs are among the species most vulnerable to plastic pollution.
Coral reefs, which cover less than 1% of the Earth's surface, house 25% of the world's biodiversity. A four-year study of 159 reefs in the Pacific Ocean found that reefs in Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar were heavily contaminated with plastic. The study, published in the journal Science, reported that the likelihood of disease in corals increased from 4% to 89% when the coral was in contact with plastic.
Plastic debris promotes the development of diseases in corals. For example, plastic can physically injure coral tissues, allowing bacteria and pathogens on the plastic to infect the coral. This is especially detrimental as coral reefs are already susceptible to disease due to unusually warm waters causing coral bleaching. Plastic pollution can also block sunlight from reaching the coral, further impairing its health.
The effects of plastic pollution on coral reefs are devastating. By reducing plastic consumption, properly recycling, and ensuring waste does not enter the environment, we can help protect these valuable ecosystems and the biodiversity they support.
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Sea turtles are ingesting plastic, causing blockages in their digestive systems
Sea turtles are among the many marine animals affected by plastic pollution. All seven species of sea turtles are impacted by plastic waste, with ingestion and entanglement being the two primary causes of harm and death.
Sea turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, one of their staple foods. This mistake leads to the ingestion of plastic, which causes blockages in their digestive systems and can be fatal. Plastic can physically damage a turtle's intestines, leading to internal bleeding and death. Additionally, the presence of plastic in their stomachs can trick turtles into feeling full, causing them to neglect their search for food and ultimately starve. Research by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. The likelihood of death increased significantly with the number of plastic items ingested.
The impact of plastic pollution on sea turtles is not limited to ingestion. During their life cycles, sea turtles encounter plastic waste at various stages and in different habitats. As hatchlings, they may crawl through plastic debris on their way to the ocean. While migrating, they swim through plastic waste, increasing the chances of ingestion and entanglement. Adult sea turtles may also face challenges when trying to find nesting sites due to plastic debris on beaches.
The scale of plastic pollution in our oceans is staggering, with millions of tons of plastic waste entering the ocean each year. The problem has become so rampant that, according to a report by the United Nations, there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. This crisis poses a significant threat to marine life, and sea turtles are particularly vulnerable due to their long life cycles and diverse habitats.
While the situation is dire, there is hope. Many individuals, organizations, governments, and businesses are taking action to address plastic pollution. By reducing plastic waste, investing in reusable materials, and properly disposing of trash, we can collectively work towards protecting sea turtles and other marine life from the devastating impacts of plastic pollution.
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Abandoned fishing gear entangles and kills cetaceans
Marine animals are dying due to pollution from abandoned fishing gear. This gear, known as "ghost gear", is lost, discarded, or abandoned in the ocean, continuing to trap and kill marine animals long after it has been left behind. The United Nations estimated that 640,000 tons of ghost gear pollute the ocean every year, and this figure does not include losses from illegal, unreported, or unregulated fishing.
Ghost gear is one of the primary ways that plastic pollution harms marine animals. As plastic breaks down, it produces microplastics, which are small enough to be ingested by tiny marine creatures and enter the food chain. These particles can also contain toxins, posing a risk to marine life and human health. Plastic pollution affects a vast number of marine animals, and the impact is significant. While it is challenging to estimate the exact number of deaths caused by plastic pollution, the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from it every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species.
Cetaceans, which include whales and dolphins, are particularly vulnerable to entanglement in ghost gear. In 2024, a humpback whale became entangled in over 650 feet of rope and 10 buoys off the coast of Australia, seriously limiting its ability to swim. Fortunately, this whale was rescued a week later when officials removed most of the abandoned gear. However, not all cetaceans are so lucky. From 1991 to 2023, 45 killer whales were entangled in fishing gear in Alaska, with 34 of them dying. In another instance, three skeletons believed to be dolphins were found in ghost nets around the Tiwi Islands.
The impact of ghost gear on cetaceans is not limited to entanglement. Abandoned fishing gear can also pierce the skin of these animals, causing severe injuries that can become infected and lead to death. Additionally, ghost gear contributes to the decline of cetacean populations by entangling and drowning critically endangered species. For example, illegal nylon gillnets used to catch the totoaba fish in China also entangle and drown the vaquita, a critically endangered porpoise.
The abandonment of fishing gear is caused by various factors, including a lack of accessible onshore gear and waste disposal facilities. Most ghost gear is made of durable plastic that can take centuries to decompose, continuing to trap and harm marine life long after it has been abandoned. Urgent national and international action is needed to address the threat of ghost gear to cetaceans, with innovative fishing gear and methods being developed to reduce the impact on these vulnerable species.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic, which blocks their digestive systems, causing starvation. They can also become entangled in plastic, leading to suffocation or drowning. Plastic can also cause chemical contamination, harming the reproductive systems of marine animals.
It is challenging to estimate accurately, but scientists have found that the number of animals affected by plastic pollution is vast. A study by the World Wildlife Fund estimated that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution every year. Another source estimates that number to be 100 million.
Marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals are vulnerable to plastic pollution, as they can get entangled in plastic debris or ingest it. Sea turtles are also at high risk of ingesting plastic, as they mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their favourite food. Seabirds are another group deeply impacted by plastic pollution, with millions of deaths occurring annually.
Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption and properly dispose of plastic waste to prevent it from ending up in the ocean. Volunteering with organizations working to protect marine life and reduce plastic pollution is also a great way to contribute to global efforts.
