Thursday 2/28

Pollution

Plastic and synthetic materials are the most common types of marine debris and cause the

most problems for marine animals and birds. At least 267 different species are known to

have suffered from entanglement or ingestion of marine debris including seabirds, turtles,

seals, sea lions, whales and fish.

Marine debris is known to cause entanglement that includes old fishing gear such as

nets and mono-filament lines and also six-pack rings and fishing bait box strapping bands.

This debris can cause death by drowning, suffocation, strangulation, starvation through

reduced feeding efficiency, and injuries

Plastic bags can also be a big threat to marine life by being broken up then swallowed, blocking the digestive tracts of the animal, fills the stomach, resulting in malnutrition, starvation and potentially death.

Discarded or lost fishing nets and pots can continue to trap and catch fish even

when they are no longer in use.This is known as ghost fishing and it can

result in the capture of large quantities of marine organisms. Sadly, it has become

a concern with regard to conservation of fish stocks in some areas and has resulted in 

economic losses for fisheries.

Plastic fragments broken down are called plastic pellets that are the most abundant of hard plastics and post a threat to marine life when it lodges in animals throats or digestive system.

Clearly these different types of pollution affect marine life and ecosystems. Hopefully who ever reads this can understand we need to do more to help out our oceans and support marine life!