Plastic casting deadly net

MUMBAI: Marine debris mostly comprising plastic is affecting mammals in our oceans, according to the state forest department.

Several sea turtles and fish get adversely affected after consuming plastic in the ocean or getting entangled in it.

The United Nations report released this month stated that by 2050, an estimated 99 per cent of seabirds will have ingested plastic.

In conversation with The Asian Age, N. Vasudevan, additional principal chief conservator of forest, state mangrove cell stated that how plastic in ocean and mangroves is dangerous to their ecosystem.

“Many sea turtles mistake the plastic in the ocean for jellyfish and consume it, which later deteriorates their health. In many parts of the world, it has been found that marine mammals like dolphins and whales that wash ashore had plastic in their bodies,” said Mr Vasudevan.

According to the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, plastic that breaks into smaller pieces are consumed by small fish, shrimps and prawns too. While there has not been any documentation of plastic found in marine animals washing ashore at coastal areas in Maharashtra, officials have stated that plastic could be possible reason for their deterioration and beaching incidents.

“Usually we have got sea turtles in completely decayed condition in beaching incidents, due to which it is not possible to conduct autopsy. But the possibility of plastic affecting their health could not be ruled out,” he added.

A report released by the United Nations on June 1 stated that marine litter harms over 600 marine species across the world. Moreover 15 per cent of species that are affected by ingestion and entanglement from marine litter are endangered.

“There is emerging evidence that the toxic chemicals added during the manufacturing process transfer from the ingested plastic into the animals’ tissues, eventually entering the food chain of humans as well. When plastic breaks down into micro plastic particles, it becomes even more difficult to detect and remove from the open oceans. Therefore, the most effective mitigation strategy is to reduce their input,” read the report.

Elaborating on impact of plastic on city’s natural resources, Mr Vasudevan stated that 50 lakh kgs of plastic waste still remains lying in city’s mangroves. While the plastic end up in the mangroves owing to the tidal action from the sea, accumulation of plastic in the mangroves also hamper tidal water to reach to these green areas leaving them dry. “ Not only this, but the plastic accumulated at the mangroves also clog their deep roots, which eventually break them from their source,” said Mr Vasudevan.