Plastic pollution has become a major global environmental issue, with over 8 million tons of plastic waste entering our oceans every year. This has a profound impact on marine life, affecting everything from small plankton to larger predators like whales and sharks. In this blog post, we’ll explore the impact of plastic pollution on marine life and the steps we can take to reduce it.
How Plastic Pollution Affects Marine Life
Plastic pollution has a direct and indirect impact on marine life. Marine animals mistake plastic waste for food, which can cause choking, suffocation, and digestive issues. Microplastics, small plastic particles that are less than 5mm in size, can also accumulate in the tissues of marine animals, leading to long-term health issues. When a marine animal is eaten by something higher up in the food chain, these plastics will also accumulate in their tissues.
Additionally, plastic pollution can also cause entanglement, which can lead to serious injuries or death. Animals like seals, sea turtles, and whales can become entangled in discarded fishing nets, lines, and other plastic debris. This can cause cuts, abrasions, and infections, and can also restrict the animal’s movement and ability to feed, which can ultimately lead to death. Unfortunately, entanglement is a common problem for marine animals, and plastic waste is one of the major contributors.
Ghost nets are a particularly concerning type of plastic pollution that can be miles long and entangle a wide variety of marine life. These are fishing nets that have been lost or abandoned at sea, and they continue to trap and kill marine animals even after they are no longer in use. Ghost nets are dangerous because they can drift for years, causing widespread harm to marine life in their path. They can trap everything from small fish to large marine mammals like whales, and their sharp edges can cause deep cuts and injuries. Removing these ghost nets is a difficult and dangerous task, but it is essential for protecting marine life and ecosystems.
The Effect of Plastic Pollution on Ecosystems
Plastic pollution not only affects individual marine animals, but it also has a significant impact on entire ecosystems. For example, plastic waste can alter the chemical composition of seawater, affecting the balance of nutrients and oxygen that marine plants and animals rely on.
Additionally, plastic waste can damage sensitive habitats such as coral reefs, which provide a habitat for many marine species. The plastics settle on corals, reducing their ability to photosynthesize and grow, and can even cause physical damage to their delicate structures. It can also smother and kill the coral by blocking out the sunlight and reducing the amount of oxygen available to the organisms living on the reef.
What We Can Do to Reduce Plastic Pollution
Reducing plastic pollution requires a collective effort, but there are many steps we can take to make a difference. For example, we can reduce our use of single-use plastics such as straws, water bottles, and bags. We can also support policies that limit plastic waste, such as plastic bag bans or taxes on plastic products. Finally, we can take part in beach cleanups and other community initiatives to help remove plastic waste from our oceans and shorelines. There are a few companies that are doing this on a larger scale such as 4Ocean and The Ocean Cleanup. Be sure to check them out!
Conclusion
The impact of plastic pollution on our oceans and marine life is clear. However, by taking simple steps in our daily lives and supporting initiatives that reduce plastic waste, we can help protect our oceans and ensure that they remain healthy and vibrant for generations to come.