Plastic Bags

Jellyfish, plastic bags, balloons; these all look like food to a hungry sea turtle. But plastics and trash don’t belong inside a sea
turtle or in the ocean at all. They can lead to a number of environmental problems. They are especially dangerous for marine
animals that can become entangled or accidentally ingest these items while feeding. Once ingested, the plastic items can
cause a variety of issues. Digestive tracts can become blocked, which can lead to starvation and death. Over 100 million
marine animals die each year due to marine debris, according to the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
And more than half of the world’s sea turtles have ingested some plastic or human trash, according to a University of Queensland study.

Chex is a recently rescued juvenile green sea turtle, an endangered species. This sea turtle was found floating and struggling to dive.
Soon after it was brought to Clearwater Marine Aquarium for rehabilitation, it was discovered that it had ingested a balloon with string attached.
The remains of the balloon had passed through its gastrointestinal tract.Sea turtle buoyancy disorders, commonly referred
to as “bubble butts," are a growing issue. This condition is often caused by trapped gas inside the turtle’s digestive system.
The harmful decomposition of marine debris is believed to be the cause of many of these cases. Sea turtles that cannot properly submerge will have trouble feeding and become
more vulnerable to boat strikes, predation and entanglements.

This is an important reminder to not participate in balloon releases. Remember that even when far from the sea, balloons and other
plastic trash may end up in waterways eventually harming marine
life and affecting entire food chains that come back to impact our own lives. The problem with plastics in the ocean does not end with the individual pieces of trash or the
animals that are affected. But we can start making a difference by saving these animals and cutting down the causes that lead to a larger ocean pollution crisis.