Brian Barton
Marine animals are increasingly endangered by human pollution. Sea turtles, for instance, are threatened by plastic pollution, with six out of seven species classified as either threatened or endangered. Plastic waste in oceans also endangers seabirds, whales, seals, and sea lions, who often ingest plastic or get entangled in it. Overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change are other factors that have endangered marine life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Sea Animals Endangered by Pollution | Over 700 species |
| Examples of Endangered Sea Animals | Sea turtles, whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, sharks, seabirds, manatees, coral, krill, penguins, monkfish, hammerhead sharks, and more |
| Main Causes of Endangerment | Ingesting plastic, entanglement in plastic or fishing nets, oil spills, noise pollution, water pollution, poison fishing, ocean acidification, commercial fishing, climate change, coastal development, overfishing, hunting |
| Impact on Sea Animals | Choking, internal injury, starvation, death, decline in population, extinction |
| Impact on Humans | Loss of biodiversity, loss of protection and shelter for smaller sea creatures, reduced resilience of marine ecosystems |
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What You'll Learn
- Sea turtles are endangered by plastic pollution and overfishing
- Seabirds are killed by ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it
- Seals and sea lions are strangled by plastic packing bands
- Sharks are at risk of ingesting toxic pollutants and plastic
- Dolphins are endangered by unregulated fishing practices and bycatch
Sea turtles are endangered by plastic pollution and overfishing
Sea turtles are one of the many marine animals that are endangered by human pollution and overfishing. In fact, of the seven species of sea turtles found all over the world, six are classified as either threatened or endangered. The plastic pollution in the oceans is a massive problem that is impacting sea turtles and many other marine species.
Sea turtles ingest plastic by mistaking it for their natural food, such as mistaking a plastic bag for a jellyfish, or by accidentally eating plastic that is present among their natural food, such as a plastic straw on the seafloor. Research has found that a turtle had a 22% chance of dying if it ate just one piece of plastic. Once a turtle had 14 plastic items in its gut, there was a 50% likelihood that it would die. Scientists have estimated that more than half of all sea turtles have eaten plastic, and that at least 1,000 sea turtles die each year due to entanglement in plastic. When sea turtles eat plastic, it can cause physical damage to their intestines, lead to blockages, or trick them into feeling full when they are not, causing them to become sick or even die.
Sea turtles can also become entangled in plastic waste, such as discarded fishing gear, or other debris, while they are migrating, feeding, or nesting. This can lead to injuries, hinder their ability to swim, to surface for air, or to feed, and, in severe cases, can lead to drowning and death.
In addition to the threat of plastic pollution, sea turtles are also endangered by overfishing, as they are killed for their meat and shells in some parts of the world. Coastal development and hunting are also major threats to sea turtles, as they have reduced the amount of viable land where they can lay their eggs, and they are targeted by poachers for their eggs, shells, meat, and skin. Climate change also poses challenges to sea turtles, such as harsher storms, rising sea levels, shifting currents, and hotter sands.
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Seabirds are killed by ingesting plastic or getting entangled in it
Marine animals are increasingly endangered by human pollution. Sea turtles, whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and whale sharks are among the many species at risk. Seabirds, too, are in grave danger.
Seabirds are highly vulnerable to plastic pollution in the ocean. They often mistake floating plastic debris for prey, and ingest it. An estimated one million birds die as a result of plastic pollution every year. In the 1960s, less than 5% of birds were found with plastic in their stomachs; by the 1980s, this had risen to over 80%. It is projected that by 2050, 99% of seabird species will be ingesting plastic.
Plastic ingestion can cause painful impactions and often leads to death. It reduces the volume of the stomach, causing starvation. It also impacts kidney function, causing higher concentrations of uric acid, and negatively affecting cholesterol and enzymes. Plastic pellets are magnets for toxic chemicals like DDT and PCBs, and can effectively become poison pills. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals like biphenyl can also leach from the plastic itself.
Young seabirds are especially at risk. Adult birds may inadvertently bring plastic back to the nest, mistaking it for food. Chicks then ingest the plastic and are less likely to survive to adulthood.
Seabirds can also be entangled and debilitated by plastic pollution, such as fishing lines and nets. This can cause a slow and painful death.
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Seals and sea lions are strangled by plastic packing bands
Marine animals are increasingly facing the threat of extinction due to ocean pollution. Among the many creatures affected, seals and sea lions are particularly vulnerable to plastic packing bands, which can strangulate and cause horrific wounds.
Seals and sea lions are curious and playful creatures that often interact with marine debris, unaware of the potential harm. Plastic packing bands, which are commonly found in the ocean, pose a significant risk to these animals. Young seal and sea lion pups may play with the bands, not knowing that they can easily get entangled. As the bands wrap around their necks, the animals can be strangled, causing severe injuries and exposing them to infections.
The impact of plastic packing bands on seals and sea lions has been documented in various regions, including Alaska and Scotland. In Alaska, the issue is prevalent, with plastic fishing gear and other plastic debris affecting the ecosystem. Efforts are being made to educate the public about the dangers of marine debris and to promote responsible practices.
The problem is not limited to a specific region, as evidenced by the case of a harp seal pup found dead in Scotland with plastic in its stomach. While plastic ingestion in seals is rare, it highlights the pervasiveness of plastic pollution and the vulnerability of even the smartest marine animals.
To address this issue, several solutions have been proposed. The "Lose the Loop" campaign advocates cutting any loops that could end up in the trash or modifying gear to eliminate loops. However, cut bands can still be ingested by animals, causing internal injuries. Other suggestions include reducing litter from boats and land sources and using alternative materials that do not require loops. Additionally, educating the fishing industry and promoting responsible practices can help deter sea lions from interacting with fishing gear.
The plight of seals and sea lions entangled in plastic packing bands underscores the urgent need to address ocean pollution. By implementing measures to reduce plastic waste and promote responsible practices, we can help protect these magnificent creatures and ensure the health of our marine ecosystems.
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Sharks are at risk of ingesting toxic pollutants and plastic
Marine life is facing a grave threat from pollution, with a huge percentage of sea creatures dying off at alarming rates. Pollution, along with overfishing, habitat loss, and climate change, has brought many animals to the brink of extinction. Sea turtles, whales, seals, sea lions, dolphins, and sharks are some of the species that are greatly endangered by human pollution.
Sharks, in particular, are at significant risk of ingesting toxic pollutants and plastic. Whale sharks, the largest species of shark and fish, are filter feeders, which makes them especially vulnerable to consuming microplastics directly from polluted water. These tiny plastic particles resemble plankton or algae, which is what the sharks naturally feed on. As a result, they unintentionally ingest large amounts of plastic. A study found that a whale shark could mistakenly swallow hundreds of microplastics in just an hour.
Sharks can also be indirectly exposed to microplastics by consuming other fish that have already ingested plastic. As apex predators, sharks feed on a wide variety of fish, and thus, they accumulate microplastics in their bodies over time. Demersal sharks, which dwell near the ocean floor, may also ingest microplastics directly from the sediment. This accumulation of plastic can lead to intestinal damage, increased toxin levels, and starvation. The sharp edges of microplastics can cause physical harm to the digestive tract and other internal tissues, potentially resulting in internal injuries and even death with prolonged exposure.
Furthermore, microplastics can act as vectors of toxins, absorbing and releasing harmful additives and chemicals into the shark's body. This can lead to toxicological effects, decreasing the shark's fitness and overall health. Additionally, when sharks mistakenly fill their stomachs with microplastics, they may experience a false sense of fullness, leading to reduced consumption of actual nutritious food. This can interfere with their reproductive processes, impacting the population dynamics of shark species.
Sharks have existed in our oceans for over 400 million years, but they now face a formidable threat from plastic pollution. At least 34 shark species have been reported entangled in plastic debris, and plastic items such as bags, packets, and even a boot have been found inside their stomachs. With their long lifespans, slow reproduction rates, and accumulation of microplastics, sharks are highly vulnerable to the detrimental effects of plastic pollution.
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Dolphins are endangered by unregulated fishing practices and bycatch
Dolphins are highly intelligent and social mammals that play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. However, they face significant threats due to human activities, including unregulated fishing practices and bycatch.
Unregulated fishing poses a severe danger to dolphin populations. This often involves the use of gill nets, which are large walls of netting that hang in the water column or are suspended from the surface. These nets are indiscriminate and can entangle dolphins, trapping them and leading to injury or drowning. The use of such nets in the limited habitats of dolphins has pushed them to the brink of extinction. The vaquita, the smallest of all cetacean species native to the Gulf of California, has suffered a devastating 94% population decline between 1997 and 2016 due to unregulated fishing.
Bycatch, the unintentional capture of non-target species, is another critical factor endangering dolphins. Modern fishing gear is highly efficient and extensive, often covering miles of ocean with nets and lines. As a result, dolphins become entangled and trapped, leading to injury or death. It is estimated that over 300,000 small cetaceans, including dolphins, perish annually due to entanglement in fishing nets, making it the leading cause of mortality for these species.
The impact of bycatch on dolphins is not limited to physical harm. When dolphins become entangled in fishing gear, they experience stress and panic, which can lead to exhaustion and further injury. Additionally, the loss of individuals due to bycatch can have population-level consequences, disrupting social structures and dynamics within dolphin communities.
While the issue of bycatch is gaining recognition, more needs to be done to address this threat. Organizations like the WWF are working to develop and promote new technologies and gear to reduce bycatch, such as electronic pingers attached to fishing nets that deter dolphins. Additionally, modifying fishing gear to include escape mechanisms for non-target species is a simple and inexpensive solution that can significantly reduce dolphin bycatch.
To protect dolphins from the dangers of unregulated fishing practices and bycatch, a combination of improved regulations, innovative technologies, and increased collaboration between organizations is necessary. By addressing these threats, we can help ensure the long-term survival and well-being of dolphin populations.
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Frequently asked questions
Sea turtles are greatly endangered by human pollution. The Pacific Loggerhead sea turtle is one species that constantly falls victim to discarded plastics. Six out of seven species of sea turtles are classified as either threatened or endangered. The Hawksbill and Kemp's Ridley Turtles are considered critically endangered.
Marine mammals such as seals and sea lions are declining rapidly due to pollution. Plastic packing bands have been found to strangle these creatures. Endangered Steller sea lions have also suffered injury and mortality due to entanglement in plastic debris. Whale populations are also affected by pollution. Sperm whales, in particular, are susceptible to plastic pollution as their large mouths allow for the ingestion of extreme amounts of plastic.
Whale sharks, the largest species of fish, are endangered due to the ingestion of toxic pollutants entering the oceans, including plastics and industrial runoffs. Krill, a main source of energy for whales, is also endangered because they are harvested to feed farm-raised fish.
