Ghost Nets
Fishing nets also called ghost nets can entangle many marine animals resulting in starvation, laceration, infection and suffocation. Fishing gear can settle on coral reefs which can cause abrasions to the branches, this reduces the diversity of invertebrates, fish and vertebrates that depend on the coral to survive (Laist, 1987).
Plastics
This man-made material causes the most harmful effect out of all the other different types of debris. This is usually by animals ingesting the material causing blockages in their digestive, resulting in starvation and death (Shaw, 1994). Other species have indirectly consumed plastic by eating pray that has already ingested the material. Smaller plastics look similar to zooplankton which can cause large filter feeders such as whales to consume them (Derraik, 2004).
Invasive Species
Some organisms have started to live on the plastic debris allowing them to travel to area they could not reach before. This allows invasive organism to enter ecosystems and cause irreversible damage (Shaw, 1994).
Heavy Material
Heavy products such as iron and concrete structures do little damage as the sink to the sea floor. These materials help create scaffolding for artificial reefs.
Nurdles
Nurdles also called mermaids tears, are small plastic pellets that resemble fish eggs. These plastic balls then proceed to poison the animal after being ingested (Ayre, 2006). Like most other plastics, Nurdles accumulate in the fatty tissues due to them being hydrophobic. These chemicals build up and can disrupt the endocrine system or can decrease the reproduction rate of animals.
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| (Kovban. E, 2013, Ghost Fishing, Viewed 22 May <http://www.ghostfishing.org/sail-rock-wrapped-by-ghost-net/>) |
Plastics
This man-made material causes the most harmful effect out of all the other different types of debris. This is usually by animals ingesting the material causing blockages in their digestive, resulting in starvation and death (Shaw, 1994). Other species have indirectly consumed plastic by eating pray that has already ingested the material. Smaller plastics look similar to zooplankton which can cause large filter feeders such as whales to consume them (Derraik, 2004).
 |
| (Fackler. C, 2015, National Marine Sanctuaries Viewed 20 May <http://www.seaweb.org/getinvolved/oceanvoices/MelanieSiggs.php>) |
Invasive Species
Some organisms have started to live on the plastic debris allowing them to travel to area they could not reach before. This allows invasive organism to enter ecosystems and cause irreversible damage (Shaw, 1994).
 |
| (Unknown, 2013, Pacific Whale Foundation, viewed 20 May <http://www.pacificwhale.org/content/pwf-staff-demonstrates-protocol-handling-suspected-tsunami-debris-and-hitchhiker-invasive-sp>) |
Heavy Material
Heavy products such as iron and concrete structures do little damage as the sink to the sea floor. These materials help create scaffolding for artificial reefs.
 |
| (Unknown, 2015, Gold News, viewed 19 May, <http://www.goldnews.com.cy/en/hotel--tourism--leisure/vessel-scuttled-in-ayia-napa-to-form-artificial-reef>) |
Nurdles
Nurdles also called mermaids tears, are small plastic pellets that resemble fish eggs. These plastic balls then proceed to poison the animal after being ingested (Ayre, 2006). Like most other plastics, Nurdles accumulate in the fatty tissues due to them being hydrophobic. These chemicals build up and can disrupt the endocrine system or can decrease the reproduction rate of animals.
 |
| (Gentlemanrook, 2008, Flickr, viewed 20 May, <https://www.flickr.com/photos/28451803@N00/2414135327> ) |
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