Marine Litter

What is marine litter and how does it affect marine life and seabirds?

Sea garbage is a significant phenomenon across the globe (DOE, 2016). It has been claimed that there are several sources who create rubbish, but plastic is the main supplier of marine litter (DOE, 2016.  According to DOE (2016) and MCS (2007) human being have become the main culprits of marine rubbish because they throw used plastic material in the water by various ways such as water transportation, sewerage water, and visitors who throw plastic bottles. There are many considerable impacts of sea garbage globally. DOE (2016) and MCS (2007) agree that a significant number of seabirds die each year while they use oceanic garbage as food and this rubbish has become a major cause of suffocation, exhaustion, and infections. In addition, MCS (2007) highlights that many Fur Seals die annually due to the fishing net. Furthermore, any animals are affected internally by eating the plastic bags and these bags become the reason of severe diseases, particularly poisoning renowned for their death (DEO,2016; MCS,2007). Therefore, marine litter is harmful for seafowls and marine life as it takes almost five centuries to regenerate (DEO,2016) and It has been observed by MCS (2007) that sea rubbish should be reduced to protect the life of seabirds and wild animals.

Marine Conservation Society 2007

Department of Environmental 2016