Plastic Ingestion in Marine Species

 

Plastic Ingestion in Marine Species 

Background

• Nearly 1,300 marine species ingest plastics (hard/soft plastics, rubber, fishing debris).

• Includes all families of seabirds and marine mammals.

• Plastic ingestion leads to gastrointestinal blockage, punctures, twisted intestines, → mortality.

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Key Research Study

• Published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

• Conducted by University of Toronto researchers.

• Database: 10,000+ necropsies, 57 sources.

Findings

Group	Species studied	% with plastic	% died due to plastic
Seabirds	1,537 (57 species)	35%	1.6%
Marine mammals	7,569 (31 species)	12%	0.7%
Sea turtles	1,306 (7 species)	47%	4.4%

• Sea turtles → Highest ingestion & mortality.

• Mortality threshold:

  • 6–405 pieces of macroplastic

  • Volume: 0.044–39.89 ml/cm of body length

  • → 90% mortality chance

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Most Affected Species

• Marine mammals: Striped dolphin, sperm whale, South American fur seal, Florida manatee

• Birds: Albatross, gull, tern

• All 7 sea turtle species

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Most Fatal Materials by Group

Group	Most Fatal Plastic Type
Seabirds	Rubber
Marine mammals	Soft plastics & fishing gear
Sea turtles	Hard & soft plastics

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Why Macroplastics Are Difficult to Study

• Ethical and practical challenges with lab experiments.

• Impacts vary by:

  • Size of animal

  • Type of plastic

  • Feeding habits

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Policy Implications

• Supports science-based regulatory interventions

• Focus on high-risk plastics:

  • Plastic bags

  • Fishing debris

• Helps shape:

  • National Action Plans

  • Global Plastics Treaty efforts

  • Marine ecosystem protection strategies

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UPSC Perspective

Prelims – Possible MCQs

1. Which marine group has the highest frequency of plastic ingestion? → Sea turtles

2. Most fatal to seabirds? → Rubber

3. Journal of publication? → PNAS

Mains – How to use this?

Relevant in:

• GS Paper 3: Environment, biodiversity conservation, pollution control

• Topics:

  • Marine pollution

  • Blue economy threats

  • Anthropogenic impacts

Value-added points

• Marine pollution is a major driver of biodiversity loss.

• Plastic ingestion = violation of SDG 14: Life Below Water.

• Supports global efforts:

  • UNEP Global Plastics Treaty (ongoing negotiations)

  • India’s ban on single-use plastics (2022)

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Way Forward

• Reduce plastic at source: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

• Improve waste management & recycling

• Monitoring marine debris via satellite and beach surveys

• Behavioural change: public awareness, alternatives to plastics

• Strengthen fishing gear regulations