Plastic straws have become a recognizable symbol of marine pollution, drawing widespread public attention to ocean plastic. A viral video, showing a plastic straw removed from a sea turtle’s nostril, significantly heightened awareness and sparked global conversations about the impact of single-use plastics on marine life. This incident prompted many to consider the harm caused by seemingly small plastic items.
The Scale of the Problem
Determining the precise number of turtles that die specifically from plastic straws is challenging due to the vastness of oceans and the unobserved nature of many marine animal deaths. Studies indicate that approximately 52% of all sea turtles have ingested plastic.
Research suggests even a single piece of plastic can be fatal for a turtle, with a 22% chance of death from ingesting one item. This mortality risk increases to 50% if a turtle consumes 14 pieces of plastic.
Estimates suggest hundreds of thousands of marine turtles die each year from ocean pollution, including ingestion or entanglement. Some reports estimate over one million sea turtles are killed annually by ingesting plastic and other debris.
How Plastic Straws Harm Turtles
Plastic straws harm turtles primarily through ingestion and entanglement. Turtles often mistake floating plastic straws for food, like jellyfish. Once ingested, these straws can cause severe internal issues, including intestinal blockages, internal bleeding, and organ damage, leading to starvation or sickness.
The plastic does not break down in their digestive systems, accumulating and preventing nutrient absorption. Straws can also become lodged in a turtle’s nostrils or throat, leading to suffocation or impeding their ability to feed.
Ingested plastic can lead to buoyancy issues, causing turtles to float unnaturally near the surface. This condition makes them more vulnerable to predators and boat strikes, and hinders their ability to dive for food or engage in reproductive activities.
Plastic Pollution’s Wider Impact on Turtles
Plastic straws represent only a fraction of the larger marine plastic pollution crisis affecting turtles. Sea turtles face threats from various forms of plastic debris throughout their lives, from hatchlings navigating plastic-strewn beaches to adults migrating through polluted waters.
Plastic bags are frequently mistaken for jellyfish, a primary food source, leading to ingestion and internal blockages. Discarded fishing gear, often called “ghost gear,” poses an entanglement risk, trapping and drowning turtles or causing severe injuries.
Microplastics, tiny fragments from larger plastic items, are also widely ingested by all sea turtle species. These microplastics can accumulate in organs, and their presence on nesting beaches can alter sand temperatures, potentially skewing hatchling sex ratios towards females and posing a long-term risk to populations.
Reducing the Threat
Addressing the threat of plastic pollution to turtles involves a combination of individual actions, policy changes, and technological advancements. Individuals can significantly contribute by refusing single-use plastic straws and opting for reusable alternatives. Popular reusable options include durable metal, bamboo, glass, and silicone straws, which offer sustainable choices for everyday use. Participating in local beach cleanups also directly removes harmful debris from marine environments, preventing it from impacting wildlife.
Governments worldwide are implementing policies to reduce plastic waste. Many regions, including the European Union, India, and parts of England, have enacted bans on single-use plastic items, including straws. These legislative efforts aim to curb the flow of plastic into oceans by reducing consumption at the source. Corporations are also phasing out plastic straws and exploring more sustainable packaging solutions.
Innovation in materials science offers promising solutions for the future. The development of biodegradable plastics, such as those made from corn starch (PLA), microorganisms (PHA), algae, and mycelium, provides alternatives that break down more readily in the environment. Advancements in recycling technologies, including enzymatic processes, are improving the ability to break down existing plastics for reuse, thereby reducing the amount of new plastic entering ecosystems. These collective efforts are crucial for mitigating the impact of plastic pollution on sea turtle populations and marine life.