MARINE VS PLASTIC

The World Environment Day is the UN`s most important day for encouraging awareness and action for protection of the environment. 5th June marks the date for the worldwide recognized day where people are encouraged to do something for the environment. This years theme focuses on plastic pollution "Beat plastic pollution." India will be the host for this years event however governments, NGO`s community organisations and members of the public worldwide will be participating in various events to mark the day.In regard to this years theme this blog post will focus on plastic pollution and the harmful effects it has on marine life.

Marine life are the plants, animals and other organisms in the seas/oceans. Oceans make up 71% of the earths surface making oceans the most vulnerable to pollution as compared to the land due to its extensive nature.

Cheap and quick production, durability and usefulness in a number of applications make plastic a desired material for creating objects. But its durability is what makes it so dangerous to the environment. The chemical make-up of plastic makes it highly resistant to degrading forces of nature. A plastic bag can remain for 10-15 years or longer. Now imagine the millions of plastic bottles sitting on our oceans floor.

Most marine debris (80%) comes from trash and debris in urban run-off, that is land based sources e.g industrial waste, landfills, ports and ocean-based sources e.g overboard discharges from ships.

Food containers and packaging are the largest component of marine debris. Packaging and single-use disposable products (eg straws, food wrappers, plastic cups) also represent use of precious resources (oil, trees, water) which are used in their production.

The situation is not getting any better for our marine life as it has been documented that at the Central Pacific Gyre plastic pieces outnumber plankton on the ocean surface by 6:1 ( study by Algalita Marine Research Foundation).Off Japan`s coast plastic materials floating have increased 30 times since 1980.

In the ocean plastic debris injures and kills fish, seabirds and marine mammals. Marine plastic pollution has impacted 267 species worldwide. 86% being sea turtles,44% seabirds, 43% marine mammals. The plastic materials cause death as a result of ingestion, starvation, suffocation, infection, drowning and entanglement. Many marine life are affected by plastic debris but main focus will be on five marine animals.

Seabirds

A plastic bag floating on the surface of the ocean can fool a sea gull or albatross into thinking its food. On scooping the bag, the bird could try to swallow it causing it to chock. If it manages to ingest it the bag will slowly poison the bird. Another deadly plastic product is the six pack can rings. They can cause birds to entangle in them causing suffocation. The sharp edges can as well cut and wound an animal.

A study conducted by Dutch researchers on marine life in the North Sea reported that the local sea gull population has ingested so much plastic that an average of 30 plastic pieces could be found on the seagulls stomach.

Small white pieces of plastic e.g bottle tops look like fish eggs or small fish which are food for birds. Albatrosses chicks die from being fed plastic as the parents mistake the debris for food.

Sea turtles

like many other marine animals , sea turtles mistake plastic waste for a viable food source, sometimes causing blockages in their digestive system. Though declining sea turtle populations are due to a variety of factors plastic pollution plays a significant role.

Separate studies from 2013 show 50% and more of sea turtles ingest and die from plastic. The loggerhead species has actually ingested such enormous quantities of plastic that it obstructs their digestive system.

Seals and Sea lions

Marine life can become entangled in a variety of ocean debris e.g fishing nets, lines and lures. There are a number of seals and sea lions that become entangled in plastic bags or plastic packing bands leading to injury and death.

Plastic packing bands and rubber bands continue to deeply impact the Stellar Sea Lion population. An 8 year study in Southeast Alaska and British Columbia documented 388 sea lions entangled in plastic debris.

Whales and dolphins

Like other marine mammals, whales often mistake marine debris as a food source. In some species the whales mouth is so large it unknowingly picks up plastic debris (Baleen whales).

A study also found that hundreds of species of cetaceans have been negatively impacted by plastic pollution. The obstruction often puncturing and tearing stomach lining, leading to starvation and death. According to Marine Pollution Bulletin cetaceans are ingesting plastic debris at 31% causing 21% of them to be at high risk of death.

In 2010 a Californian grey whale washed up dead on the shores of the Puget Sound. Autopsies showed its stomach contained 20 plastic bags,surgical gloves, tape, trousers and a golf ball.

Fish

Fish along with many marine life bring water in through gills. Microscopic plastic debris therefore get into the fish and such debris takes six times longer in the body of the fish as compared to when it has been ingested orally. Fish are commonly eaten by humans thus putting us at risk of ingesting micro-plastics that can cause cancer, digestive system diseases and death if intake is in large amounts. Communities along the beach are therefore the most vulnerable to such effects and it does not only impact their health but financial lifestyle as well as availability of fish is becoming less.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

We handle plastic on a daily basis so the first step would be for us to minimize the amounts of plastic we use. Recycling materials or using recyclable material is a viable option as well. As we celebrate World Environment Day lets say NO to single-use plastic and other forms of plastic and focus on alternatives to plastic materials. Participate in clean-ups around your community and even register your event on the UN official website and even map your event.

Watch the video below of famous celebrities and their pledges to beat plastic pollution.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HIkIBsKZF4

Lets save the planet,eliminate plastic.