http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/research-impacts/what-we-know-about-entanglement-and-ingestion

What We Know About Entanglement and Ingestion

New NOAA reports sum up the state of science on entanglement and ingestion.

AUGUST 8, 2014 -- The NOAA Marine Debris Program, in partnership with
the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, published reports today
that assess the current state of science on two marine debris impacts:
ingestion and entanglement.

The reports examine existing scientific literature to determine what we
know about these impacts, as well as gaps in knowledge and how they may
be addressed.

Reports

Entanglement of Marine Species in Marine Debris with an Emphasis on
Species in the United States
 From reports in the United States, at least 115 marine species are
impacted by entanglement, including mammals, turtles, birds, fish, and
crabs. Most marine debris entanglement reports involved pinnipeds,
particularly northern fur seals and Hawaiian monk seals, as well as sea
turtles. Worldwide, at least 200 species are impacted.

Occurrence of Health Effects of Anthropogenic Debris Ingested by Marine
Organisms
An estimated 26 marine mammal species, including toothed whales,
manatees, and multiple seal species, as well as all sea turtle species
have been confirmed to ingest marine debris. Over one-third of sea bird
species ingest plastic. Research to-date has characterized the types,
sources and impacts of ingestible debris, yet the overall effects on
animals remain poorly understood.

http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/mdp_entanglement_topic_paper.pdf

http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/mdp_ingestion_topic_paper.pdf