You likely know that plastic pollution is a problem, with environmental experts saying that microplastics have now been found in even the world’s most remote water sources. However, biologists now say that some of our planet’s most endangered seabirds are flying thousands of miles to a giant plastic patch in the middle of the ocean to feed.
00:00You likely know that plastic pollution is a problem, with environmental experts saying that microplastics have now been found in even the world's most remote water sources.
00:08However, biologists now say some of our planet's most endangered seabirds are flying thousands of miles just to get to giant plastic patches in the middle of the ocean, all to feed, a dangerous endeavor for a species already at risk of extinction.
00:21These are petrels, a species considered threatened by the IUCN Red List.
00:26According to one of the study's authors, Lizzie Permain, out in the ocean, swirling currents cause plastic waste to collect en masse, in what's called a gyre, and many petrel species end up there.
00:36With Permain saying about it, quote,
00:38We found that many species of petrel spend considerable amount of time feeding around these mid-ocean gyres, which puts them at risk of ingesting plastic debris.
00:45And since these birds feed their young via regurgitation, that means that plastic can be passed on to their chicks.
00:50This can release toxins or simply take up space in their stomachs, making less room for nutritious foods.
00:56Experts say this highlights the need for international cooperation to solve this ocean plastic problem,
01:01as these mid-ocean gyres in the far reaches of international waters are far outside any nation's borders.
