What’s going on with sea turtles and plastic straws? As the world becomes more environmentally conscious, one issue that has gained significant attention is the harmful effects of plastic on the environment. One of the most dangerous forms of plastic to sea turtles is the plastic straw. It may seem small and insignificant, but plastic straws can cause a significant amount of damage to sea turtles and other marine animals. In this blog, we will discuss the dangers of plastic straws for sea turtles.
Do plastic straws harm sea turtles?
Sea turtles and plastic straws are a deadly combination because sea turtles often mistake plastic straws for food. Sea turtles are known to eat jellyfish, and plastic straws look remarkably similar to jellyfish tentacles when they are floating in the water. When sea turtles consume plastic straws, they can suffer from a range of health issues, including intestinal blockages, internal injuries, and infections. In many cases, the ingestion of plastic straws can be fatal for sea turtles.
How Many Turtles Die from Plastic Straws?
It is difficult to determine exactly how many turtles die from plastic straws each year, but studies have shown that millions of marine animals die each year as a result of plastic pollution. According to a study published in the journal Science, an estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans each year, and it is estimated that between 4.8 and 12.7 million metric tons of plastic waste comes from land-based sources. This plastic waste can harm a variety of marine animals, including sea turtles.
The Ways in Which Plastic Straws Harm Sea Turtles
Plastic straws harm sea turtles in a number of ways. As mentioned earlier, the ingestion of plastic straws can lead to health issues and death. Plastic straws can also harm sea turtles by getting caught in their nostrils or throat. This can cause the turtle to suffocate or prevent it from feeding properly. Plastic straws can also entangle sea turtles, making it difficult for them to swim and hunt for food. All of these factors can have a significant impact on the health and survival of sea turtles.
What Can We Do to Help?
Fortunately, there are steps that we can take to reduce the impact of plastic straws and other pollution on sea turtles and other marine animals. One of the simplest and most effective ways to help is to reduce our use of plastic straws. This can be done by using reusable straws made from materials such as stainless steel or bamboo. In addition, we can also support initiatives aimed at reducing plastic waste, such as beach cleanups and recycling programs.
Help Fahlo support sea turtle conservation efforts by purchasing a Sea Turtle Tracking Bracelet. A portion of all proceeds is donated to Sea Turtle Conservancy, which helps raise awareness and provide protection for sea turtles around the globe! Your contribution will help the Sea Turtle Conservancy achieve the vision of a world where every Sea Turtle can live free from harm.