- Entanglement: Marine life, including fish, sea turtles, whales, and seabirds, can become entangled in plastic debris, leading to injury, starvation, or death.
- Ingestion: Many marine species ingest plastic particles, sometimes mistaking them for food. This can cause physical obstructions in the digestive system, reduced nutrient absorption, and toxic chemical exposure.
- Bioaccumulation: Harmful chemicals used in plastic manufacturing can accumulate and concentrate in marine food webs, potentially posing health risks to top predators, including humans.
Economic consequences:
- The trash vortex can interfere with commercial fishing operations when plastics get caught in fishing nets or damage vessel propellers. This can result in loss of fishing gear, wasted effort, and potentially hazardous navigation conditions.
- Coastal impacts: Marine debris like plastics accumulate on shorelines, beaches, and coastal waterways, affecting tourism, property values, and recreational activities in vulnerable coastal regions.
International Collaboration and Awareness:
- Spotlight on Environmental Issues: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch has drawn global attention to plastic pollution and related environmental issues, contributing to public discussions, scientific research, and international policy dialogues on managing waste and conserving ocean ecosystems.
