Environmental
impact
Ingestion
Many marine mammals such as sea turtles, fish, and sea birds may ingest marine debris such as plastics and trash that they mistake for food.4 This is very harmful to their digestive system as well as the ecosystem and food chain. This destroys the biodiversity of oceans, which greatley alters the environment.1
Over 100 species of sea birds are known to ingest plastics.
Around 95% of Fulmers have plastic in their stomachs that affect them in chemical and mechanical ways.2
31 species of marine mammals are know to have ingested marine plastic
Entanglement
Over 250 species have been known to have ingested or become entangled in plastic4
Entanglement rates of up to 7.9% have been discovered in some species of seals and sea lions
A UNEP report estimates that around 130,000 cetaceans are caught in nets each year1
Ecosystem Alteration
The direct impacts of marine debris are not limited to mobile animals. Plants, other immobile living organisms, and sensitive ecosystems can all be harmed by marine debris. Coral reefs can be damaged by derelict fishing gear that breaks or suffocates coral.1 Plants can be smothered by plastic bags and fishing nets. The ocean floor ecosystems can be damaged and altered by the movement of an abandoned vessel or other marine debris.3
Invasive Species
The increase in marine litter, in particular plastics has resulted in a corresponding increase in species invasion
Man-made litter has resulted in a significant increase in the opportunities for the transportation of alien species
‘Biotic mixing’ as a result of human activities is becoming a widespread problem1
The hard surfaces of plastic debris is providing an attractive and alternative substrate for a number of organisms.4 The introduction of non-endemic species can have a catastrophic impact on indigenous species and biodiversity and the increase in synthetic and non-biodegradable material pollution will accelerate the process 2
Indirect Ecosystem Alteration
Efforts to remove marine debris can harm ecosystems. Mechanical beach raking uses a tractor or other mechanical device to remove marine debris from beaches and marine shorelines and can adversely impact shoreline habitats.3 This removal technique can be harmful to aquatic vegetation, nesting birds, sea turtles, and other types of aquatic life. Beach raking also can contribute to beach erosion and disturbance of natural vegetation when the raking is conducted too close to a dune.2