Marine Wildlife

Marine Turtle Plastic Ingestion Welfare

Sea turtles mistake plastic debris for jellyfish prey, with ingested plastics causing intestinal blockage, toxicity, and buoyancy problems that impair welfare and survival.

Key Facts

Studies find over 50% of sea turtles sampled have ingested plastic debris
Plastic bags are mistaken for jellyfish, the primary prey of leatherback turtles
Plastic ingestion causes intestinal blockage, puncture, and reduced nutrient absorption
Buoyancy disorders from gas trapped by plastic prevent diving and normal feeding behaviour
Rehabilitation centres can sometimes remove ingested plastics surgically

Welfare Considerations

Sea turtles that ingest plastic suffer prolonged welfare harms. Intestinal blockage causes progressive starvation as the turtle cannot absorb nutrients. Buoyancy disorders leave turtles unable to dive, exposing them to boat strikes and starvation in warming surface waters. The chronic nature of these conditions - developing over weeks to months - means individual animals endure extended periods of suffering before death or rescue.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption to decrease ocean plastic pollution
Participate in beach and coastal clean-up events
Support organisations lobbying for extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging
Choose products in plastic-free or certified recyclable packaging
Donate to sea turtle rehabilitation centres working on plastic-related injuries