hoe komt plastic in de oceaan terecht? | IFAW
Lees meer over hoe plastic in de oceaan terecht komt, wat het effect is op het zeeleven en hoe je plastic vervuiling tegen kunt gaan. >>
de gifstoffen die ze bevatten
Wanneer grotere stukken plastic worden afgebroken tot microplastics ontstaat een nieuwe bedreiging voor het leven in de oceaan. Microplastics zijn microscopisch kleine deeltjes plastic die kleiner zijn dan vijf millimeter. Meer dan 90% van het plastic in het oppervlaktewater van oceanen is microplastic. Kleinere vissen, of soorten lager in de voedselketen, zoals plankton en oesters, consumeren microplastics bij het filteren van water. Microplastics, en <anchor>de gifstoffen die ze bevatten</anchor>, worden doorgegeven via de voedselketen en worden uiteindelijk gegeten door grote zeedieren en mensen, met name in afgelegen, inheemse en armere gemeenschappen die afhankelijk zijn van uit het wild afkomstig voedsel.
Top five threats to life in the ocean
Top five threats to life in the ocean

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Five of the biggest threats to life in the ocean

# Five of the biggest threats to life in the ocean

[Sharon Livermore](/people/staff/sharon-livermore) \| February 27, 2024

Want to help animals? [Join IFAW](https://secure.ifaw.org/united-states/join-ifaw)

Approximately [71% of the Earth’s surface](https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/ocean/) is covered by the ocean, which is—perhaps unsurprisingly given its size—home to [over 90% of the planet’s living species](https://gem.spc.int/updates/blog/did-you-know/2022/02/ocean-science-fact-94-of-the-earths-living-spieces-are-aquatic), from plants and fish to reptiles and mammals.

The ocean also plays an important ecological role. It supports aquatic phytoplankton, which produces [an estimated 50% of the oxygen that we breathe](https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/ocean-resources/), and acts as one of the [largest carbon sinks on the planet](https://www.ifaw.org/people/opinions/african-marine-conservation-turn-tide-climate-change), sequestering vast amounts of atmospheric CO2 and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.

However, despite the ocean playing such a significant role in the health of the planet and being home to a plethora of animal and plant species, it is under constant threat due to a variety of human activities.

In this blog, we look at five of the biggest threats to life in our ocean and explore the efforts being made to protect one of our most valuable resources.

## **1. Ocean noise**

Often overlooked because it can’t be seen, [ocean noise](http://bluespeeds.org/) is a significant threat to a number of marine species. Animals like [whales](https://www.ifaw.org/explore/animals/whales) and [dolphins](https://www.ifaw.org/explore/animals/dolphins) that hunt and communicate using sound are severely impacted by [excessive noise](https://www.sonicsea.org/learn) caused by shipping activity, military sonar, and seismic exploration by oil and gas industries. The confusion caused by this noise can disorient animals, preventing them from finding food, meeting a mate, and detecting predators—ultimately threatening their very survival.

A blue whale breaching with cargo ship in background off the coast of Sri Lanka.Photo: Christian Loader / © IFAW

There are currently no international standards for ocean noise in effect, meaning it is difficult to regulate and reduce the noise in our waters. However, avenues are being explored to help reduce ocean noise.

Shipping speeds and high noise levels are closely linked, so one promising solution is to reduce the speed at which commercial ships move through the water. IFAW has been working closely with shipping companies, ports, and the [International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee](https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/MEPC-default.aspx) to try to reduce shipping speeds and ocean noise.

[Learn more about our Blue Speeds campaign](https://bluespeeds.org/) and the work we’ve been doing to combat ocean noise in the EU.

## **2\. Vessel strikes**

Another threat that is linked to shipping is vessel strikes on marine wildlife. These are exactly what they sound like—large vessels, such as shipping containers, collide with aquatic animals, [usually whales.](https://www.ifaw.org/resources/ship-strikes-whales-prevention-factsheet) These collisions typically result in devastating injuries for the animals and sometimes even death.

A North Atlantic right whale with propeller scars on its back.Photo: © NOAA Fisheries

Vessel strikes have contributed to the decline of a number of whale species, including the [North Atlantic right whale](https://www.ifaw.org/journal/slow-down-to-save-endangered-north-atlantic-right-whales) and [Mediterranean whales.](https://www.ifaw.org/press-releases/ship-strikes-mediterranean-whales) Reducing ship speeds can help solve this issue, and a panel of conservation experts recently [urged the US Congress to support updated vessel speed restrictions](https://www.ifaw.org/press-releases/expert-panel-urges-congress-vessel-speed-restrictions-protection-north-atlantic-right-whales) in order to protect the endangered right whale.

One innovative technology we have introduced is the [Whale Alert mobile app](https://www.whalealert.org/) that helps mariners to be more aware of the signs of whales in the area so they can hopefully avoid collisions.

## **3\. Climate change**

The increase in global temperatures seen with climate change has—and continues to have—devastating effects on the ocean. Warming temperatures have led to coral bleaching, threatening an estimated 75% of the world’s reefs, while ocean acidification is having dire consequences for [many marine species](https://www.ifaw.org/journal/animals-most-impacted-climate-change) too.

A harp seal on poor ice during unusually warm weather in the Gulf of St Lawrence, Canada.Photo: Sheryl Fink / © IFAW

Embracing [nature-based solutions to climate change](https://www.ifaw.org/journal/nature-based-climate-solutions-protect-planet) is crucial for making equitable, sustainable, and long-term climate interventions. When we [center animals in any climate efforts](https://www.ifaw.org/initiative/climate-change), taking advantage of their [natural ecological functions](https://www.ifaw.org/news/partnering-animals-tackle-climate-crisis-cop28), we can protect their ecosystems from further harm.

It is also important to work with local communities and stakeholders to establish equitably-led and sustainable climate projects in their local ecosystems. Education is key on both sides— [teaching people about the effects of climate change](https://www.ifaw.org/people/opinions/confronting-climate-anxiety) and how to be more climate-conscious, as well as learning from local experts to help make a real difference in their communities.

## **4\. Entanglement in fishing gear**

Marine animals—from [whales](http://ifaw.org/animals/whales), [dolphins](http://ifaw.org/animals/dolphins), and [seals](http://ifaw.org/animals/seals) to [turtles](http://ifaw.org/animals/sea-turtles) and seabirds—often become caught and trapped in nets and lines used by commercial fisheries. This entanglement can inhibit marine animals from moving freely, preventing them from hunting, breathing, and eating normally. They can also cause severe injuries. In fact, there have been [more than one recent instance](https://www.ifaw.org/press-releases/endangered-right-whale-cottontail-death) of critically endangered North Atlantic right whales [dying from entanglement injuries.](https://www.ifaw.org/news/humpback-whale-chronic-entanglement)

IFAW MMR responders carefully cut line off of an entangled gray seal.Photo: © IFAW, Activities were conducted under a federal stranding agreement between IFAW and NMFS under the MMPA. NOAA Permit #24359

IFAW has been conducting a [multi-faceted campaign](https://www.ifaw.org/projects/saving-the-north-atlantic-right-whale) to solve the issue of entanglement. We have been working to build public awareness, push for regulatory change, and promote innovative solutions in the US and Canada to help protect the North Atlantic right whale.

Additionally, we have been working to [introduce a new type of sedative](https://www.ifaw.org/projects/entangled-whale-rescue-global) that slows entangled whales down so our veterinary experts can disentangle them from nets. Using drones, we can estimate the size of whales and provide the proper dosage, making this method of disentanglement safer and more effective for both the whales and the rescuers.

## **5\. Plastic debris**

An estimated [eight million metric tonnes of plastic](https://www.ifaw.org/explore/animal-welfare/ocean-plastic-pollution) end up in our oceans each year. Our discarded bottles, plastic bags, and packaging are choking and entangling animals, or breaking up into tiny pieces that can be swallowed, releasing toxic chemicals along the way. [Over 90% of seabirds](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/15092-plastic-seabirds-albatross-australia) are now thought to have plastic pieces in their stomachs.

A sea turtle chews on a plastic bag mistaken for a jellyfish (a common food source for sea turtles) in the South China Sea off Malaysia.

This plastic comes from [a number of sources](https://www.ifaw.org/journal/plastic-pollution-ocean), including littering and improper disposal of waste. In addition to getting tangled and choking on plastic debris—as is often seen with [sea turtles](https://www.ifaw.org/animals/sea-turtles#threats)— when plastic breaks down into microplastics, it is then consumed by small fish and species lower on the food chain. When these species are then eaten by predators higher up the food chain, these toxic microplastics are passed up the chain and amplified, threatening the entire marine ecosystem.

There are many things we can do to help reduce the amount of plastic waste in our oceans. These include small-scale changes in our day-to-day lives, such as not using plastic bags or straws, as well as larger-scale initiatives with which we can engage. For example, International Cleanup Month is an annual event focused on removing waste from our oceans and coastlines. [Find out more about this initiative and how you can get involved.](https://www.ifaw.org/news/marine-life-international-cleanup-month)

For more information about the work IFAW is doing to protect not only our oceans but the entire natural world, [explore our projects.](https://www.ifaw.org/projects)

[Donate to protect the ocean](https://secure.ifaw.org/united-states/join-ifaw)

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Sharon Livermore

[Director - Marine Conservation](/people/staff/sharon-livermore)

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