Plastic is everywhere and in everything, and it never goes away. Over time, it breaks down into tiny pieces, which makes its way into our water sources, the food chain and even the air we breathe. Tens of thousands of individual marine organisms have been observed suffering from entanglement or ingestion of plastics – from zooplankton, corals and fish to sea turtles, marine mammals like whales and seabirds. Plastic consumption can lead to starvation once an animal’s stomach is full of plastic, as well as other negative health effects that we are just now starting to understand. Our oceans are choking on plastics, and so are these five animals, literally.
Help protect these animals; add your voice and help achieve #ZeroPlasticWaste in Canada by signing the petition here.
Whales......Plastic has been found in almost every species of whale in our oceans. From whales as small as the harbour porpoise to incredibly rare beaked whales and fin whales – the second largest whale in the ocean. A 2019 beluga whale study, conducted in Canada’s remote Arctic waters, found microplastics in the stomach and intestines of every single one tested. Some whales consume plastic directly through filter feeding, a process where they take large gulps of water and siphon out tiny prey like plankton. Other species consume it indirectly through the food chain, when they eat fish and other animals that have already consumed plastics.
Sea turtles There are seven species of sea turtles found throughout the world’s oceans and research has shown that all seven have ingested plastic.....AND ALL OTHER SPECIES ON THIS PLANET INCLUDING US!...READ ON https://oceana.ca/en/blog/