Oceans in danger

With the hydrosphere being a big part of our environmental studies, it is staggering to know that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic debris in the ocean. Of that, 269,000 tonnes float on the surface. We have known about ocean plastic debris for many years as well as it's deadly consequences for  marine animals, birds and fish.

In August 2014, a whale died in Chesapeake bay despite best efforts to save her. A necropsy revealed the whale had swallowed a shard of rigid black plastic that had lacerated her stomach and prevented her from feeding. This was later identified as a broken piece of DVD case which was probably swallowed as she was feeding on the water's surface. This slow death was completely preventable.

Sperm whales are especially susceptible to plastic ingestion as they confuse the debris for squid, their main prey. A senior scientist in California noted that every sperm whale necropsied had lots of plastic in its stomach. This can prevent the whales from feeding causing them to starve to death.

Across many beaches over the world the amount of plastic debris washed onto shores is staggering. This is impacting the ocean ecosystems enormously yet it is completely needlessly. The tragic end to the life of this endangered Sei whale should be a lesson to us all. Deaths due to pollution are completely preventable. Cut back on plastic waste.  Recycle what you do use as possible and ensure that this waste is carefully disposed of to prevent the needless deaths of our precious wildlife.