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Plastic peril: The silent marine life killer

According to Fauna & Flora (2024), an estimated 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic each year as a staggering 12.7 million tonnes of plastic make their way into ocean waters every year. This grim picture points out an imminent environmental crisis with far-reaching consequences for both marine life and the life on the planet in general.

We all know that plastic has become an integral part of modern life, found everywhere, from the simplest package to the most elaborate devices. It is durable and versatile, traits that come with serious consequences, as plastic is a biodegradable material, unlike organic ones, and persists in the environment for hundreds of years, allowing it to be found around the globe, from the deepest oceans to the Arctic ice.

Considering this, plastic pollution negatively affects marine life profoundly and in several ways. More specifically:

– Ingestion: It is common for marine animals to mistake plastic for their food. For instance, sea turtles often confuse plastic bags with jellyfish, which are one of their primary food sources. By ingesting plastic, their digestive systems face blockages, leading to malnutrition and, possibly, death.

– Entanglement: Many marine mammals, such as seals and dolphins, are found entangled in plastic waste such as fishing nets or six-pack rings. Entanglement in plastic can cause severe injuries to them, restraining their movements which could lead to drowning or death by starvation.

– Contamination by chemicals: Some plastics consist of chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which are harmful when leached into the water. These chemicals can be absorbed by marine animals, leading to hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and increased possibility for diseases.

– Habitat destruction: Plastic often affects seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are vital habitats for various marine animals. As a result, these ecosystems face degradation, leading to biodiversity loss and collapse.

Additionally, human life is threatened by the plastic pollution of marine life, considering that many communities rely on the ocean for food, livelihood, and recreation. The water pollution along with contaminated seafood cause by plastic can lead to health issues through the presence of microplastics in the food chain, the extent of which is currently under research.

Some possible solutions to the issue of oceans’ plastic pollution include:

  1. the reduction of plastic use in favour of using reusable materials,
  2. the improvement of waste management to help prevent plastic from entering the ocean,
  3. the increased awareness and knowledge about the impact of plastic pollution, such as the RESCUE project provides, and
  4. the creation of policies that regulating plastic production and consumption.

So, understanding the importance of the situation and taking proactive steps to reduce plastic use and waste are the only ways to ensure a plastic-free future for the oceans and the whole planet.

Learn more about how plastic affects marine life by visiting the RESCUE platform: https://rescue.erasmus.site/courses/module-3-effects-of-plastic-use-on-marine-life/