Marine Life In Jeopardy

How Plastic Pollution Is Harming Ocean Wildlife – And What You Can Do About It

Plastic is everywhere—from the grocery store to our kitchens, and sadly, into the oceans too. While packaging may seem convenient to us, its long-term impact on the environment, especially marine life, is devastating.

Nature already provides fruits and vegetables with their own protective coverings. Wrapping produce like cucumbers or bananas in plastic not only adds unnecessary waste, but contributes to a massive pollution problem that’s choking our oceans and threatening wildlife.

The Deadly Toll of Plastic in Our Oceans

One tragic example comes from a sperm whale found stranded on a beach. When scientists investigated the cause of death, they discovered the whale had suffered from severe abdominal inflammation caused by plastic debris in its stomach. Among the items found were plastic bags, fishing nets, and even a jerry can.

This is not an isolated incident.

Each year, over 100,000 marine mammals are killed by plastic pollution. Studies show that 81 out of 123 marine mammal species have been documented as either ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in it. All seven species of sea turtles are also affected.

How Does Plastic Kill Marine Animals?

Plastic pollution is deadly in two main ways:

Ingestion – Animals mistakenly consume plastic, thinking it’s food.

Entanglement – Marine life gets trapped in plastic debris, often leading to drowning or severe injury.

Why Do Animals Eat Plastic?

To marine mammals like whales, dolphins, and seals, a floating plastic bag can resemble prey like squid or jellyfish. Animals that rely on sight may confuse plastic for food, while those that use echolocation—such as toothed whales and dolphins—may misidentify plastic debris due to distorted sonar signals.

This can have fatal consequences. For example, one stranded whale, after being euthanized due to its deteriorating condition, was found to have a stomach full of plastic waste—no room left for real food.

The Threat of Entanglement

Another major hazard is entanglement in marine debris—especially ghost fishing gear. This refers to fishing nets, lines, and traps that have been lost or abandoned at sea. They continue to float through the water, indiscriminately trapping marine life.

It’s estimated that 640,000 tonnes of fishing gear are lost in the ocean each year, out of a total 8 million tonnes of plastic entering the seas.

Animals ensnared in this debris may drown if they can’t reach the surface for air. Others may survive the initial entanglement, but suffer wounds, infections, or long-term stress that compromises their ability to hunt or escape predators.

Ghost nets have been found containing dolphins, turtles, reef fish, sharks, and other marine life—some already dead, others fatally injured.

This Is a Human Problem—And We Can Fix It

Marine animals don’t understand the dangers of plastic—but we do. It’s up to us to change our habits and reduce the plastic that ends up in our waterways.

Here’s how you can help:

• Reduce plastic use: Say no to single-use plastics like bags, straws, utensils, and water bottles.

• Bring your own: Use reusable shopping bags, cutlery, cups, and containers whenever possible.

• Recycle properly: Check local guidelines to make sure you’re recycling everything you can.

• Join clean-up efforts: Participate in beach, river, or neighborhood clean-ups to help remove waste before it reaches the ocean.

• Spread the word: Encourage others to adopt low-waste lifestyles and support legislation that limits plastic pollution.

Every Action Counts

While plastic pollution is a global crisis, the solution starts with individual choices. Each bottle not purchased, each straw skipped, and each cleanup attended makes a difference.

By being mindful of our plastic consumption, we can help ensure the oceans remain safe for the whales, dolphins, turtles, and countless other species that call them home.

Let’s keep plastic out of our oceans—and protect the life within them.