A local issue
On March 16th, 2015 a young pygmy sperm whale washed up on McNabs Island in Halifax Harbour. Tonya Wimmer, the coordinator of Marine Animal Response Society, said that although they found cuts on its neck and tail, the whale had actually died with a belly full of plastic, including bags and strapping that would be found on paper or fish bait boxes. The plastics had become lodged just before its stomach, which meant it couldn't feed. Read the CBC News store here
These and many other similar stories involving marine turtles, right whales, birds and other marine life show that we need to be more aware about our environments and how we reduce, recycle and reinvent our waste material.
These and many other similar stories involving marine turtles, right whales, birds and other marine life show that we need to be more aware about our environments and how we reduce, recycle and reinvent our waste material.
The young pygmy sperm whale washed up on McNab's Island in Halifax Harbour, N.S with a belly full of plastic.
Photo Credit: D.Fraser- supplied Marine Animal Response Society |
A number of plastic bags, plastic strapping, and other bits were enough to clog and create a blockage at the entrance to the animal’s stomach. © H Moors-Murphy, Marine Animal Response Society
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A global problem
Accumulating plastic waste in the ocean is not just an issue around Halifax, it is a major issue in all ocean environments. In 2010, scientists that about 4 million to 12 million metric tons of plastic washed offshore. We still don't know where 99% of the plastic that washes offshore ends up, meaning that once plastic enters the ocean there is very little we can do to reduce its impact on marine life. Where we CAN help is to prevent marine waste from entering the ocean in the first place.
This great infographic on marine waste was created by Project Aware:
This great infographic on marine waste was created by Project Aware: