Brighton & Hove Museums
Almost half of all marine mammal species including seals, whales and porpoises have been found dead from suffocation and starvation after having ingested plastic bags.
Between 290 to 300 plastic bags are used per person per year in the UK.
Swallowing marine litter mistaken for food can damage the digestive tract of marine animals and also result in the absorption of toxic pollutants.
These toxins are then passed up the food chain to the fish that we
consume.
A person uses a plastic bag for an average of 12 minutes before disposal. When a bag enters the sea suffocation or entanglement may occur but
ingestion is the main issue.
Sea turtles often mistake bags for their favourite food of jelly fish and squid when seen floating in the water column.
(Since this project was created research now estimates that a plastic bag takes between 10 to 15 years to degrade in the sea).
Nylon Rope
Rope can become entangled around the necks and beaks of curious animals, causing death as they grow larger and the noose tightens.
Book with plastic cover ‘Ireland A Terrible Beauty’
Specimen collected from Fota Island, Cove of Cork, Ireland
Barbie doll arm
Specimen collected from Fota Island, Cove of Cork, Ireland
White plastic horse, 3
Specimen collected from Cobh shoreline, Cove of Cork, Ireland
Tricycle wheel
Specimen collected from Whitepoint, Cobh shoreline,
Cove of Cork, Ireland
Pram wheel
Specimen collected from Glounthaune shoreline, Cove of Cork, Ireland
Plastic flowers partially burnt – group
Specimen collected from Carrigaloe estuary, Cove of Cork, Ireland
