Turtles and Plastics

Why Do Turtles Eat Plastic and Why Does it Cause Them Harm?

Turtles often mistake plastics, specifically plastic bags for food. Plastics are dangerous for turtles and other marine animals because eating plastic internally punctures the intestine wall which: causes internal bleeding and gives them a sense of fullness, which risks starvation.

How Long Does Garbage Stay in the Ocean?

• Cigerrete Butts- 10 years

• Grocery/plastic bags- 20 years

• Styrofoam cup- 50 years

• Aluminoum Cans- 200 Years

• Plastic Rings- 400 Years

• Disposable Diaper- 450 Years

• Plastic Bottle- 450 Years

• Fishing Line- 600 Years

Even after dissolving, plastics break down into substances called micro-plastics, which can poison animals' food and water sources.

Facts:

• Nearly all species of turtles are endangered or extinct due to plastics. 

• 70% of all loggerhead turtles in Queensland, Australia were found dead because of eating plastics.

• 52% of all turtles have eaten plastic at some point in their life, and the number is rising. 

• Not only do animals ingest plastic waste, but they can become entangled in it as well, causing serious injuries often resulting in death. 

• Around 1,000-10,000 turtles die each year from eating plastic, and the number continues to rise as we throw away more trash

• Turtles have a 20% Chance of dying if they consume just one piece of plastic.

• Turtles have a 95% chance of dying if they are entangled in plastic waste

Why Our Project Helps Turtles (and other marine animals):

Our Project not only prevents turtle entanglement it is safe for the turtles to eat because it is made up of agar (algae based substance). Although our main focus is turtles this plastic will additionally help other marine life.