cetaceans Archives - One Earth - One Ocean e. V.

Microplastic and macroplastic ingestion by a deep diving, oceanic cetacean

guenther — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 17:20:02 +0000

Amy L. Lusher, Gema Hernandez-Milian, Joanne O’Brien, Simon Berrow, Ian
O’Connor, Rick Officer, Microplastic and macroplastic ingestion by a
deep diving, oceanic cetacean: The True’s beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus,
Environmental Pollution, Volume 199, April 2015, Pages 185-191, ISSN
0269-7491, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2015.01.023.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749115000421)
Abstract: When mammals strand, they present a unique opportunity to
obtain insights into their ecology. In May 2013, three True’s beaked
whales (two adult females and a female calf) stranded on the north and
west coasts of Ireland and the contents of their stomachs and intestines
were analysed for anthropogenic debris. A method for identifying
microplastics ingested by larger marine organisms was developed.
Microplastics were identified throughout the digestive tract of the
single whale that was examined for the presence of microplastics. The
two adult females had macroplastic items in their stomachs. Food remains
recovered from the adult whales consisted of mesopelagic fish
(Benthosema glaciale, Nansenia spp., Chauliodius sloani) and
cephalopods, although trophic transfer has been discussed, it was not
possible to ascertain whether prey were the source of microplastics.
This is the first study to directly identify microplastics <5 mm in a cetacean species. Keywords: Atlantic ocean; Marine pollution; Plastic debris; True's beaked whale; Microplastics

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european cetaceansociety.eu/conference/29th-ecs-conference

guenther — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 21:52:55 +0000

http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/29th-ecs-conference

http://www.europeancetaceansociety.eu/conference/scientific-programme

Ecology & Eco-toxicology: Application of stable isotopes to assess the
feeding ecology of long-finned pilot whale (Globicephala melas) in the
Northeast Atlantic Ocean; Are seals and inshore fisheries targeting the
same food source?; Long-term trends in diet and mortality in harbour
porpoises in Scottish waters; Eco-toxicological analysis of free-ranging
cetaceans from the North-western Mediterranean Sea; Global pollution
(PCB) hotspots and European dolphin declines; Fin whales (Balaenoptera
physalus) as wide-scale sentinel of exposure to microplastics in marine
environment: the case study of Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Cortez;

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Untangling Both a Whale and Why Marine Life Get Mixed up With Our Trash

guenther — Wed, 31 Dec 2014 18:31:42 +0000

http://usresponserestoration.wordpress.com/2014/10/29/untangling-both-a-whale-and-why-marine-life-get-mixed-up-with-our-trash/

Untangling Both a Whale and Why Marine Life Get Mixed up With Our Trash

October 29, 2014 by Ashley Braun

In the United States alone, scientific reports show at least 115
different species of marine life have gotten tangled up?literally?in the
issue of marine debris. And when you look across the globe that number
jumps to 200 species. Those animals affected range from marine mammals
and sea turtles to sea birds, fish, and invertebrates.

Sadly, a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming in the blue
waters off of Maui, Hawaii, got first-hand experience with this issue in
February 2014. Luckily, trained responders from the Hawaiian Islands
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary were able to remove the long
tangle of fishing rope wrapped around the whale?s head, mouth, and right
pectoral fin. According to NOAA?s National Marine Sanctuaries:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb4-cRzbHvBJyBiN4yw4FQXX4yV0dDjZp

Entangled Humpback Whale Freed from Marine Debris - Maui 02.19.14

http://youtu.be/1YmZMdF5bA8

Humpback Whale Cut Free from Marine Debris - Maui 02.19.14 (Part 1)

NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries

Published on 21 Feb 2014

On Feb. 19, 2014, trained responders from Hawaiian Islands Humpback
Whale National Marine Sanctuary disentangled a humpback whale from
life-threatening marine debris off Maui.

This video shows the entangled whale just before the response effort.
Find out more at http://go.usa.gov/BsMe

Credit: J. Moore - NOAA MMHSRP Permit #932-1905

http://www.youtube.com/user/sanctuaries

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Plastics Are a Whale of a Problem for Our Ocean

guenther — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 20:19:47 +0000

http://blog.oceanconservancy.org/2014/08/26/plastics-are-a-whale-of-a-problem-for-our-ocean/

Plastics Are a Whale of a Problem for Our Ocean

Posted On August 26, 2014 by Nick Mallos

Sei whales are majestic animals and I?ve had the great fortune of
witnessing their grace and splendor in the open ocean. Last week,
however, a 45-foot sei whale washed up on the shores of the Elizabeth
River in Virginia. An 11-foot bruise above her left jaw and two
fractured vertebrae led the Virginia Aquarium Stranding Response Team to
believe she was killed by blunt force trauma following a collision with
a ship.

However, a necropsy revealed that the whale also had ?a large sharp
piece of rigid, black plastic? roughly the size of a standard index card
lodged in her stomach.

In the days leading up to her death, the Virginia Aquarium team said
that she ?was thin and its movements were not indicative of a healthy
whale.? They believe that the plastic in the whale?s stomach prevented
her from feeding normally. This likely weakened the whale and could
explain why she swam up the Elizabeth River.

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Plastic: A deadly meal for marine mammals

guenther — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:47:39 +0000

http://www.whalefish.org/#!Plastic-A-deadly-meal-for-marine-mammals/c8p8/73889687-C21D-48C5-A02B-A10A46AA0861

Plastic: A deadly meal for marine mammals
7 Feb 2014

Everyone has heard of plastic being bad for marine life, but how bad is
it? Since plastic is lightweight, strong, durable and buoyant, if not
properly discarded, it can enter waterways and eventually the marine
environment, where it stays for a long time and becomes a accidental
snack for aquatic species.

It is estimated that every year 20 million tons of plastic litter enters
the ocean, and approximately 100,000 marine mammal individuals are
affected by the ingestion of large pieces of plastic. However, unknown
number of cases remain undiscovered as many of these animals perish in
the open ocean. The most vulnerable marine biota are whales, dolphins
and porpoises. Sperm whales are especially prone since their feeding
mechanism resembles a vacuum cleaner: they suck the food in their mouth.
And unfortunately, sperm whales cannot distinguish plastic bags from one
of their favourite diet – squids. Over the years a number of plastic
pollution related whale deaths have been reported, and two of the most
media-highlighted occurred in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2012, a sperm
whale was found washed up with more than 100 pieces plastic bags in its
stomach at Mykonos Island in Greece; and in 2013, a sperm whale was also
found with 17kg of plastic waste in its gut in Spain. In both cases, the
name of the plastic bag suppliers could still be read after necropsy!

http://prezi.com/t5jiw0frd4fr/plastic-a-deadly-meal-for-marine-mammals/

Plastic: a deadly meal for marine mammals
www.whalefish.org
by Wanda Bodnar on 15 February 2014

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Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: the case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus)

guenther — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 15:00:40 +0000

Maria Cristina Fossi, Daniele Coppola, Matteo Baini, Matteo Giannetti,
Cristiana Guerranti, Letizia Marsili, Cristina Panti, Eleonora de
Sabata, Simona Clò, Large filter feeding marine organisms as indicators
of microplastic in the pelagic environment: the case studies of the
Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale
(Balaenoptera physalus), Marine Environmental Research, Available online
24 February 2014, ISSN 0141-1136,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2014.02.002.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0141113614000373)
Abstract: The impact of microplastics (plastic fragments smaller than 5
mm) on large filter feeding marine organisms such as baleen whales and
sharks are largely unknown. These species potentially are ingesting
micro-litter by filter feeding activity. Here we present the case
studies of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and
basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) exploring the toxicological effects
of microplastics in these species measuring the levels of phthalates in
both species. The results show higher concentration of MEHP in the
muscle of basking shark in comparison to fin whale blubber. These
species can be proposed as indicators of microplastics in the pelagic
environment in the implementation of Descriptor 8 and 10 of the EU
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
Keywords: microplastic; phthalates; organochlorines; basking shark; fin
whale; Mediterranean Sea

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Evaluating the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans

guenther — Thu, 06 Mar 2014 18:04:19 +0000

Sarah Baulch, Clare Perry, Evaluating the impacts of marine debris on
cetaceans, Marine Pollution Bulletin, Available online 11 February 2014,
ISSN 0025-326X, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.12.050.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X13007984)
Abstract: Global in its distribution and pervading all levels of the
water column, marine debris poses a serious threat to marine habitats
and wildlife. For cetaceans, ingestion or entanglement in debris can
cause chronic and acute injuries and increase pollutant loads, resulting
in morbidity and mortality. However, knowledge of the severity of
effects lags behind that for other species groups. This literature
review examines the impacts of marine debris on cetaceans reported to
date. It finds that ingestion of debris has been documented in 48 (56%
of) cetacean species, with rates of ingestion as high as 31% in some
populations. Debris-induced mortality rates of 0–22% of stranded animals
were documented, suggesting that debris could be a significant
conservation threat to some populations. We identify key data that need
to be collected and published to improve understanding of the threat
that marine debris poses to cetaceans.
Keywords: Marine debris; Cetaceans; Entanglement; Ingestion; Plastic

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