How are Loggerhead Turtles affected by the pollution of plastic bags?
Name: Larissa Torpy
Date of Submission: 27/11/12
Date of Submission: 27/11/12
Introduction
For my Action Research Project I looked into the affects that plastic bags have on Loggerhead Sea Turtles when they eat a plastic bag. Some of the other questions I came up with were: what is the average size of an adult and of a hatchling?, how long does it take for them to mature?, are they threatened?, when does mating occur and when do they lay their eggs? what are the human impacts on Loggerheads? I then researched these questions further and looked into some ways on how we can reduce the risks of Loggerhead turtles being harmed any further by pollution.
Background
Loggerhead Sea Turtles are threatened due to pollution of plastic bags and commercial fisheries as well as many other affects. Every year the world uses more than 1 billion plastic bags, because these are so light they can easily blow out of bins and down water drains ending up in the ocean. This is where marine life mistake them for prey and eat them. It can then cause major problems for the animals stomach and metabolism as well as getting stuck in their throat so they can't eat causing them to starve to death. This is why we need to be aware of how we dispose of plastic bags in order for our marine life and Loggerhead turtles in particular a safer, happier life, clean of plastic bags and other threats.
How are Loggerhead Sea turtles affected by the pollution of plastic bags?
When a Loggerhead Turtle sees a plastic bag it thinks it is it's prey the jellyfish, therefore eating the plastic bag which causes serious harm to the turtle. Once the plastic bag is ingested it then interferes with the turtle's stomach and metabolism. This often results in the turtle dying. The plastic bag can also get stuck in the turtle's throat, because of this the turtle can then no longer eat and as a result the turtle dies of lack of food.
Are Loggerheads threatened?
Yes, Loggerhead turtles have been listed as threatened since the 2nd of June 1970 and are still threatened today due to pollution, commercial fisheries, killings of nesting Loggerheads or poaching of the eggs, erosion, artificial lighting, vehicles on beaches, dredging, propeller injuries from boats and ships and oil spills, coastal development and increased human use of nesting beaches.