Sharks & Plastic Free July

While it is Plastic Free July, sharks are the talk of the town right now. Let’s dive into how plastic pollution is affecting some of our favorite shark species. 

Blue Sharks

Unfortunately, these sharks are highly impacted by plastic pollution. It is very common for these sharks to get tangled in fishing gear. In some cases, the plastic can cover their gills, preventing them from getting oxygen.

Getting tangled can prevent these animals from growing correctly, leading to malformations or death. It can also prevent the sharks from being able to swim. They also ingest plastic litter, which causes their stomachs to become full. This prevents them from getting the food and nutrients they truly need, ending in starvation and death.

Whale Shark

Whale sharks hunt for food in inshore waters, where tons of plastic tend to accumulate. In some regions of the world, whale sharks may consume as much as 137 pieces of plastic per hour. These microplastics can release toxins that accumulate over time and potentially alter hormones regulating the animal’s metabolism, reproductive functions, and growth and development.

For a number of marine species, the larger pieces of plastic can cause internal damage to organs and block passageways to the stomach, which can lead to starvation and death.

Tiger Shark

The tiger shark may be known for its cool name, however, it’s not cool to wear plastic, and more tiger sharks are being found entangled in plastic waste. In a recent study of 66 tiger sharks, one of the sharks was found dead, entangled in plastic straps. The strap had engulfed the shark’s fin, preventing it from swimming normally.

Another shark, found alive, had severe malformations suggesting that the strap had become attached to the shark at a much younger age. In both situations, the sharks had visible wounds from the straps, which could also put these animals at risk of disease and infection.

Many, if not all, species of sharks face the risks associated with plastic pollution. Here are a few things you can do to show your support for our finned friends.

• Support legislation for a global plastics treaty
• Conduct a plastic audit and reduce your plastic consumption
• Reuse items as many times as possible before discarding them
• Repair items where possible before sending them to the landfill
• Join your local buy-nothing group and swap items for free