Microplastic pollution has permeated every ocean habitat and is now found in the tissues of marine animals from zooplankton to whales.
Beyond ecological harm, microplastics cause direct suffering in marine animals. Seabird chicks with stomachs packed with plastic starve despite full-looking bellies. Sea turtles cannot distinguish transparent plastic bags from jellyfish. Chronic toxic load from plastic-associated chemicals affects endocrine, immune, and reproductive function across many species.