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Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean. Floating oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the center of gyres and on coastlines , frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or tidewrack.
Marine debris, also known as marine litter, is human-created solid material that has deliberately or accidentally been released in seas or the ocean. Floating oceanic debris tends to accumulate at the center of gyres and on coastlines , frequently washing aground, when it is known as beach litter or tidewrack.
In addition to all these impacts, the marine debris and beach litter pose dangers to wildlife on the beaches and marine ecology. [20] Many beach pollutants such as fishing gears and nets or oil spills jeopardize many sea animals including sea turtles , seabirds, and dolphins , and can cause serious injuries or death. [ 16 ]
Marine animals can experience internal injuries, lacerations, infections, starvation, and diminished swimming ability from injesting plastic or getting entangled in plastic garbage. [141] Additionally, floating plastics aid in the spread of invasive marine organisms, endangering marine biodiversity and the food chain . [ 142 ]
Litter is a type of human impact on the environment and remains a serious environmental problem in many countries. Litter can exist in the environment for long periods of time before decomposition and be transported over large distances into the world's oceans. Litter can negatively affect quality of life.
Some long-lasting plastics end up in the stomachs of marine animals. [ 48 ] [ 49 ] [ 50 ] Plastic attracts seabirds and fish. When marine life consumes plastic allowing it to enter the food chain, this can lead to greater problems when species that have consumed plastic are then eaten by other predators.
Marine conservation is informed by the study of marine plants and animal resources and ecosystem functions and is driven by response to the manifested negative effects seen in the environment such as species loss, habitat degradation and changes in ecosystem functions [1] and focuses on limiting human-caused damage to marine ecosystems ...
Due to littering, New Zealand's endangered species are at risk of extinction. The National Litter Audit revealed that 80% of the litter found in the country's waterways originated from the land. Plastic litter in particular threatens wildlife because it contaminates the water and therefore poses health risks to marine wildlife and seabirds.