Bronte Wells
Dolphins are among the most endangered species affected by plastic pollution. They are apex predators and frequently mistake plastic for food, consuming plastic bags, bottles, and fragments. Research shows that about 56% of dolphin species have consumed plastic, with plastic reaching their prey organisms and, in turn, the dolphins themselves. This plastic consumption has a negative impact on their health and can lead to painful deaths. In addition, dolphins also get entangled in plastic-based fishing gear, causing them to drown.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of dolphins that have consumed plastic | 56% |
| Number of marine mammals that die from plastic pollution every year | 100,000 |
| Percentage of marine pollution generated by land-based activities | 80% |
| Number of marine mammal species known to have eaten or been entangled in plastic | 81 out of 123 |
| Number of tonnes of plastic that enter the ocean every year | 8 million |
| Number of plastic pieces clogging the oceans | 15-51 trillion |
| Percentage of stranded cetaceans worldwide that have consumed plastic as of 2018 | 60% |
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What You'll Learn
Dolphins mistake plastic for prey
Dolphins are apex predators and are endangered by plastic pollution. Research has shown that about 56% of dolphins have consumed plastic, which can be lethal. Dolphins often mistake plastic for prey, such as fish and squid, due to similarities in appearance and sound. For example, a plastic bag floating in the water can resemble a squid. Dolphins that use echolocation to find prey can be particularly vulnerable to this form of misidentification.
Dolphins are also susceptible to ingesting microplastics, tiny plastic particles that contaminate the marine ecosystem. Microplastics enter the food chain when ingested by smaller organisms, which are then eaten by dolphins. This can lead to bioaccumulation of plastics and associated toxins in their bodies. Research has found evidence of microplastics in the blow (exhalations) of bottlenose dolphins, suggesting that they are inhaling plastics as well as ingesting them through prey.
The ingestion of plastic can cause internal injuries, blockages, and digestive problems in dolphins. It can also lead to malnutrition, as the plastic takes up space in the stomach, making dolphins feel full without providing any nutrition. In addition, the chemicals found in plastics, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and flame retardants, pose risks to dolphins. These chemicals can dissolve into the surrounding seawater and be ingested or inhaled by dolphins.
While it is difficult to determine the exact number of dolphin deaths caused by plastic pollution annually, the impact is significant. Dolphins are important regulators of marine ecosystems, and their populations are already threatened by whaling, entanglement in fishing gear, climate change, and capture for captivity. The decline in dolphin populations due to plastic pollution highlights the urgent need for global action to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics through policies, individual efforts, and conservation initiatives.
Overall, the issue of dolphins mistaking plastic for prey underscores the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on marine life and the urgent need for collective efforts to address this global problem.
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Plastic ingestion causes health issues and death
Dolphins are among the marine animals most endangered by plastic pollution. Research shows that about 56% of dolphins worldwide have consumed plastic. While it is challenging to pinpoint the precise number of dolphins that perish annually due to plastic pollution, it is evident that plastic ingestion causes severe health issues and death in these creatures.
Dolphins frequently mistake plastic litter for food and end up consuming plastic bags, bottles, and fragments. This ingestion has detrimental consequences for their health and can even lead to a painful death. The sharp edges of plastic debris can cause internal lacerations, leading to infections and internal bleeding. Additionally, plastic can obstruct their digestive system, resulting in a reduced appetite and difficulty in obtaining essential nutrients.
The chemicals present in plastics, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), and flame retardants, further compound the problem. These chemicals can dissolve into the surrounding seawater and be absorbed by algae and other organisms, ultimately entering the digestive system of dolphins. As a result, dolphins may suffer from chemical toxicity, which can have unknown impacts on their health.
Microplastics, which are tiny plastic particles smaller than 5mm, pose a significant threat to dolphins. These minuscule fragments can reach the water column and sediment, where they are consumed by prey organisms. When dolphins feed on these prey, they inadvertently ingest microplastics, leading to potential health complications.
The impact of plastic ingestion on dolphins is not limited to physical ailments but also extends to behavioural changes. Some dolphins have been observed chewing on plastic materials, possibly as a result of play behaviour. This behaviour can inadvertently lead to plastic ingestion, further exacerbating the problem.
In summary, plastic ingestion has dire consequences for dolphins, including internal injuries, intestinal blockages, starvation, and death. As apex predators, dolphins play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Therefore, it is imperative to address plastic pollution and minimise the use of plastics to protect these majestic creatures and preserve the health of our oceans.
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Entanglement in plastic fishing gear
Dolphins are one of the many species affected by plastic pollution in the ocean. While it is difficult to know the exact number of dolphins that are killed by plastic pollution, research has shown that about 56% of dolphins have consumed plastic. In addition to ingestion, entanglement in plastic fishing gear is another way dolphins are harmed by plastic pollution.
Dolphins are already threatened by whaling, entanglement in fishing nets and lines, climate change impacts, and capture for captivity. Plastic pollution adds to these threats, with abandoned fishing gear being one of the worst offenders. An estimated 640,000 tonnes of the 8 million tonnes of plastic that enter the oceans each year is "ghost fishing equipment", gear that is either deliberately discarded or washed off ships or shorelines. This gear continues to entrap marine creatures, including dolphins, leading to devastating consequences.
Dolphins can easily become entangled in plastic fishing gear, such as nets and lines, which can result in drowning, infections, or other injuries. Smaller dolphins may drown immediately if the gear is large or heavy, while larger dolphins can pull the gear off but still face risks of exhaustion and infection. For example, the rare humpback dolphin, found only in waters around Australia and New Guinea, has been observed with marine debris wrapped tightly around its body. If not removed, this plastic can cut into the dolphin's skin and lead to deadly infections.
To address the issue of entanglement, organizations like NOAA Fisheries work with partners to prevent entanglements and rescue entangled animals. They have developed specialized tools and techniques to safely disentangle dolphins and other marine animals from fishing gear. Additionally, NOAA provides entanglement response training to build a global network of professional response teams and gather accurate data on entanglement occurrences.
To reduce the risk of dolphin entanglements, preventative measures should be taken to minimize the presence of derelict and active fishing gear in marine environments. Individual actions, such as participating in community clean-up efforts and reducing plastic use, can also help lower the risk of entanglement for dolphins and other marine creatures.
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Plastic chemicals cause health issues
Dolphins are one of the many species endangered by plastic pollution. Research shows that about 56% of dolphins worldwide have consumed plastic. They are frequently confused by the appearance of plastic litter and end up eating plastic bags, bottles, and fragments. This has a detrimental impact on their health and can lead to a painful death.
Microplastics, or plastic fragments smaller than 5mm, are particularly dangerous to dolphins. These tiny particles can be ingested by prey organisms, which are then eaten by dolphins, leading to the accumulation of plastics and chemicals in their bodies.
In addition to the direct health impacts of ingesting plastics, dolphins can also suffer from entanglement in plastic debris, such as abandoned fishing gear. This can cut into their skin, leaving them vulnerable to infections and other health complications.
The impact of plastic pollution on dolphins highlights the broader health risks associated with plastics. Humans and other wildlife species are also exposed to toxic chemicals and microplastics through ingestion, inhalation, and direct skin contact. These toxic chemicals have been linked to endocrine disruption, reproductive issues, growth impairment, and cancer.
To address the health issues caused by plastic chemicals, it is crucial to reduce plastic pollution. This can be achieved through individual actions, such as minimizing plastic use and participating in cleanup campaigns, as well as global efforts to implement stringent policies against plastic pollution. By working together, we can protect the health of dolphins, other marine life, and ourselves from the harmful effects of plastic chemicals.
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Microplastics are eaten by prey and then dolphins
Dolphins are apex predators, and as such, they are one of the species most endangered by plastic pollution. While it is hard to identify the exact number of dolphins that die annually due to plastic pollution, research has shown that about 56% of dolphins have consumed plastic.
Dolphins can become entangled in plastic-based fishing gear, such as nets, plastic bags, and other waste materials, which can cause them to drown, choke, or starve. They can also mistake plastic for food items, such as plastic bags that resemble squid when filled with water, and end up eating them. This has a detrimental impact on their health and can lead to a painful death.
Microplastics, or plastic fragments smaller than 5mm, are of particular concern for dolphins. These tiny particles can reach the water column and sediment, where they are consumed by prey organisms, which are then eaten by dolphins. As dolphins eat microplastic-contaminated fish, the levels of pollutants build up in their bodies. Microplastics have been found in the gastrointestinal tracts of dolphins, indicating that they ingest these particles through their prey.
A study by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program found microplastics in the stomach contents of bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida, USA. The researchers had been studying the exposure of dolphins to plastic pollution and chemical additives for almost 10 years. They found that the types of chemicals the dolphins were exposed to pointed towards a plastic origin, so they began to explore what the dolphins had been ingesting. The study is the first to examine the stomach contents of free-ranging bottlenose dolphins and has implications for human health as well, as dolphins eat the same seafood as humans.
The presence of microplastics in the environment and food sources of dolphins is a serious issue that requires global action. Minimizing plastic use, recycling, and participating in beach cleanup campaigns can help reduce the impact of plastic pollution on dolphins and other marine life. Additionally, the development of stringent policies against plastic pollution is necessary to address this emerging issue effectively.
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Frequently asked questions
Research has shown that about 56% of dolphins have consumed plastic.
Dolphins frequently mistake plastic litter for food items. For example, a plastic bag ballooned with water can look like a squid to dolphins that hunt with their sight. Dolphins that use echolocation to find their prey can accidentally capture plastic alongside their prey.
Consuming plastic can lead to intestinal blockages, which can cause starvation and death. In addition, chemicals found in plastics, such as phthalates, can dissolve into the surrounding seawater and lead to health issues such as problems with the heart, lungs, and metabolism.
Dolphins can become entangled in plastic-based fishing gear and other waste materials, which can lead to drowning, choking, or starvation.
Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, support organisations working to reduce plastic pollution, and participate in beach cleanup campaigns. Governments should also implement stricter policies against plastic pollution, such as bans on single-use plastics.
