Lexi Webster
Marine animals are extremely vulnerable to plastic pollution, which has become a critical environmental issue. Plastics do not degrade in the same way that organic materials do, and can persist for hundreds or even thousands of years, wreaking havoc on natural ecosystems. While it is challenging to estimate accurately, it is thought that plastic pollution kills at least 100,000 marine animals every year, with Australia contributing 130,000 tonnes of plastic to the ocean annually.
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What You'll Learn
Marine animals die from ingesting plastic
Marine animals are dying from ingesting plastic, and this is a growing problem. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. This is a conservative estimate, as it is difficult to know the exact number of deaths. The problem is twofold: marine animals are ingesting plastic, and they are also becoming entangled in plastic debris.
Marine animals mistake plastic for food. For example, turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple diet. Seabirds, such as albatrosses, fulmars, and shearwaters, are also affected by marine debris, which gets stuck in their gizzards, a section of the stomach that grinds food. This can lead to lower weights, as the ingested plastic prevents them from eating a full meal.
Many species of marine mammals have been confirmed to eat marine debris. A review found that 69 species of marine mammals have been found to ingest plastic, including 44 species of toothed whales, manatees, and multiple seal species. In 2019, a whale was found washed up with 40 kg of plastic in its stomach, mainly plastic bags. In another case, a sperm whale died after ingesting nearly 30 kg of plastic, causing inflammation of its abdominal tissues.
Plankton, shellfish, birds, fish, marine mammals, and sea turtles have all been confirmed to ingest plastic debris. The amount and type of plastic they eat often relate directly to the animal's feeding behavior. Passive feeders, or animals that filter their food from water, may unintentionally eat microplastics with their food. Active feeders ingest plastic while searching for and capturing their food, and they may also eat any debris inside their prey.
Microplastics are a significant threat to marine life, as they are invisible to the naked eye and can be easily consumed by wildlife. They can also absorb toxins, which are then transferred to the fatty tissues of the organisms that ingest them. This can lead to toxic contamination, especially in apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas, where the concentration of toxins is higher.
The impact of plastic on marine life is devastating and far-reaching. It is important to address this issue through education, reducing plastic waste, and participating in clean-up efforts to protect marine ecosystems and the animals that inhabit them.
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Marine animals die from entanglement in plastic
Marine animals are extremely vulnerable to plastic entanglement, particularly from ghost fishing gear. Ghost gear is fishing equipment that is either deliberately or accidentally left behind in the ocean. This includes ropes, nets, and pots, which can trap and entangle a wide variety of marine life, from large whales to small crabs.
In Australia, an estimated 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the oceans each year, indiscriminately killing marine mammals, birds, and other creatures. One rare species affected by plastic entanglement is the humpback dolphin, which is only found in the waters around Australia and New Guinea. Marine debris has been observed wrapped tightly around their bodies, cutting into their skin and leaving them susceptible to deadly infections.
The problem of ghost gear is not unique to Australia, with an estimated 640,000 tonnes of plastic entering the oceans each year as ghost fishing equipment. The results of ghost gear entanglement are devastating, with dolphins, turtles, sharks, and other marine life falling victim. For example, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle was found entangled in a plastic bag that had filled with sand, causing the animal to drown due to the weight of the bag.
Large items of plastic can capture marine mammals and fish, leading to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Even if the entangled animal can still move, its chances of survival are slim. Entanglement can also lead to drowning, as marine mammals cannot breathe underwater.
While it is challenging to determine the exact number, it is estimated that plastic pollution kills 100,000 marine mammals each year through entanglement and ingestion. This figure only accounts for reported cases, and the true number is likely much higher.
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Plastic waste harms entire ecosystems
Plastic waste is a global problem that affects all ecosystems, including marine environments. An estimated 19-23 million tonnes of plastic waste enter aquatic ecosystems annually, polluting lakes, rivers, and seas. This waste can alter habitats and natural processes, reducing ecosystems' ability to adapt to climate change and directly impacting millions of people's livelihoods, food production, and social well-being.
In Australia, 130,000 tonnes of plastic leak into the oceans each year, killing marine mammals, birds, and other creatures. It is challenging to determine the exact number of marine animals killed by plastic pollution, but estimates range from 100,000 to 300,000 marine mammals dying annually from ingestion or entanglement. Large marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, are highly vulnerable to entanglement in ghost fishing gear, abandoned or discarded plastic ropes, nets, and pots. This entanglement can lead to injuries, starvation, and increased vulnerability to predators.
Plastic waste also affects marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas due to the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics. Microplastics, ranging in size from five millimeters to one nanometer, have been found in every ecosystem, from the Antarctic tundra to tropical coral reefs. A single plastic particle can absorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, and these chemicals build up in the fatty tissues of animals that consume contaminated prey. This biomagnification results in higher concentrations of toxins in top predators.
The impact of plastic waste extends beyond marine life to include birds, domesticated farm animals, and even humans. Birds, such as albatrosses, mistake plastic for food and feed it to their young, leading to fatal consequences. Floating plastics can also transport invasive species, contributing to biodiversity loss and species extinction. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, placentas, and food and drinks, raising concerns about potential harm to human health.
To address the harm caused by plastic waste, collective action is required on a global scale. This includes ambitious reductions in plastic production, phasing out harmful chemicals, improving waste management, and promoting education and behavioral changes to reduce plastic consumption and increase recycling.
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Plastic pollution is a critical environmental issue
One of the most critical impacts of plastic pollution on marine animals is its ability to harm and kill them. It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. This number is likely an underestimate, as it only accounts for a few species. Marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, can get entangled in plastic debris, leading to injuries or drowning. Large items of plastic can trap and restrict the movement of marine animals, making them vulnerable to starvation, injury, and predators. In addition, plastic fishing nets and other debris can cause severe injuries, which may become infected and fatal.
Marine animals can also be affected by plastic pollution through ingestion. Sea turtles, for example, often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish, their staple food. Once ingested, plastic blocks their digestive systems, leading to starvation. Similarly, whales are consuming millions of plastic particles every day as they filter-feed in the oceans. For blue whales, the world's largest animal, the estimate is about 10 million pieces of plastic per day.
Plastic pollution also affects marine apex predators such as great white sharks and orcas. Microplastics and the bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals found in plastics pose a significant threat to these species. A single plastic particle can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water. As these toxins build up in the fatty tissues of animals, the risk increases for species higher up the food chain, such as orcas, which have been found with high levels of chemicals in their fatty tissues and breast milk.
The impact of plastic pollution extends beyond individual animals to entire ecosystems. Coral reefs, for example, are damaged by plastic pollution, which causes disease and bleaching. This, in turn, affects the fish and other marine animals that depend on the coral reef as their habitat. The ocean is particularly vulnerable to plastic waste. Once plastic enters the sea, it can spread to remote areas, accumulate in gyres, or embed itself in shorelines and coastal ecosystems. Over time, plastic breaks down into smaller pieces, known as microplastics and nanoplastics, which have been found in every step of the food chain, from marine life to humans.
Addressing plastic pollution requires collective action and individual efforts. Reducing plastic consumption, recycling, and responsible waste disposal are essential to protecting our oceans and marine life. Volunteering for beach clean-ups and supporting organisations working on marine conservation are also effective ways to contribute to global efforts to address this critical environmental issue.
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Marine animals are killed by plastic in different ways
It is estimated that marine plastics contribute to the death of more than 100,000 marine mammals every year. While it is challenging to determine the exact number, plastic pollution is a significant threat to marine life in Australia and worldwide. Marine animals are killed by plastic in various ways, including ingestion, entanglement, toxic contamination, and injury.
One of the primary ways plastic kills marine animals is through ingestion or eating plastic. Marine creatures may mistake plastic for food, such as turtles mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish or fishing nets for seaweed. When ingested, plastic can cause inflammation of abdominal tissues, as seen in the case of a sperm whale that died with nearly 30 kilograms of plastic in its gut. This inflammation is caused by the toxins coating the plastic pieces. Additionally, microplastics can adsorb up to one million times more toxic chemicals than the surrounding water, leading to toxic contamination in the animals that consume them. These toxins can bioaccumulate in the fatty tissues of animals, resulting in biomagnification as they move up the food chain.
Entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear, ropes, nets, and pots is another significant cause of death among marine animals. Large items of plastic can capture and entangle marine mammals, fish, and even small crabs, preventing them from escaping. This often leads to starvation, injury, and increased vulnerability to predators. Even if the entangled animal can move, the plastic can cut into their skin, causing deep wounds and exposing them to the risk of deadly infections.
Whales and dolphins that use echolocation to find prey may struggle to distinguish plastic from their prey due to their multi-million-year-old sonar system. As a result, they may accidentally ingest plastic or become entangled in it.
The impact of plastic pollution on marine life is devastating and far-reaching. While the exact number of deaths may be unknown, it is clear that plastic poses a significant threat to marine animals in Australia and worldwide, and efforts must be made to reduce plastic pollution and protect marine ecosystems.
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Frequently asked questions
Marine animals can die from ingesting plastic, which blocks their digestive systems and causes inflammation, or from entanglement in plastic-based fishing gear, which can cut their skin and lead to deadly infections.
It is challenging to estimate exactly how many marine animals die from plastic pollution each year, as many deaths go unrecorded. However, some sources estimate that at least 100,000 marine animals die from plastic pollution annually, with another source estimating the number to be over 1 million.
Plastic pollution in Australia kills marine mammals, birds, and other creatures. It also damages coral reefs, which provide habitats for fish and other marine animals, thus threatening entire ecosystems.
Individuals can reduce their plastic consumption, recycle, and dispose of plastic waste responsibly. Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, is banning a range of single-use plastics, and similar bans have been implemented in Victoria and Queensland.
