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Cetaceans and Marine Debris: The Great Unknown

M. Simmonds

Published 2012 in Journal of Marine Biology

ABSTRACT

Plastics and other marine debris have been found in the gastrointestinal tracts of cetaceans, including instances where large quantities of material have been found that are likely to cause impairment to digestive processes and other examples, where other morbidity and even death have resulted. In some instances, debris may have been ingested as a result of the stranding process and, in others, it may have been ingested when feeding. Those species that are suction or “ram” feeders may be most at risk. There is also evidence of entanglement of cetaceans in marine debris. However, it is usually difficult to distinguish entanglement in active fishing gear from that in lost or discarded gear. The overall significance of the threat from ingested plastics and other debris remains unclear for any population or species of cetaceans, although there are concerns for some taxa, including at the population level, and marine debris in the oceans continues to grow. Further research including the compilation of unpublished material and the investigation of important habitat areas is strongly recommended.

PUBLICATION RECORD

  • Publication year

    2012

  • Venue

    Journal of Marine Biology

  • Publication date

    2012-06-28

  • Fields of study

    Biology, Environmental Science

  • Identifiers
    DOI 10.1155/2012/684279
  • External record

    Open on Semantic Scholar

  • Source metadata

    Semantic Scholar

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