Sea turtles, like sea birds, are swallowing large amounts of plastic fragments, according to a new study.
Australian scientist Qamar Schuyler recently completed a report saying that 52% of the world’s turtles may have swallowed plastic fragments.
Schuyler is a researcher at the Morton Bay Research Institute at Kun.
Her research, as part of her doctoral dissertation, analyzed the data and debris models of previously published reports, and concluded that Australia, North America, Southeast Asia, South Africa and the east coast of Hawaii are the most dangerous places for turtles. There are many species in these places and more marine waste.

Sea turtles are swallowing plastic shards like seabirds
Schuyler said her research also included autopsy on 100 dead tortoises. These dead turtles came from the southern coast of Queensland and other marine biologists for autopsy data of more than 90 species of animals. These dead animals mainly came from the salvage operations in the North Pacific.
Her study was similar to a previous report of a seabird report. The report pointed out that plastic fragments were found in the stomach of 60% of the world’s seabirds and predicted that the data would rise to 99% by 2050.
Schuyler said that sea turtles could remove some plastic fragments, but most still remain in their bodies. Swallowing plastic can block the intestines, or pierce the stomach wall, causing turtles to die; it also releases toxic chemicals into the animal’s internal tissues.
“A very small amount – only 0.5 grams – enough to kill a turtle.” She said.
The amount of plastic debris taken in different ages is different. Young turtles, when hatched from the sea to avoid predators, are more likely to eat “small, hard plastic fragments, mostly white.” Schuyler said, “the young turtles eat is not special, they will swallow any things on the coast.” And white plastic fragments may be one of the most common types of marine waste.

They swallow the plastic floating marine debris to eat.
The larger turtles are more likely to swallow the film, which is mistaken for the jellyfish.
“Their preference is soft, transparent plastic. This kind of plastic is often very large, so it is more likely to cause harm. ” Schuyler said.
Older turtles, “no longer so naive,” have “certain abilities” to distinguish between the difference between the plastic and the food. They do not touch much of the floating waste on the sea, because they prey on the sea floor.

Plastic fragments taken from the intestines of a dead green turtle
Schuyler said, researchers will reduce the biggest focus of waste on disposable plastics, such as shrink film, disposable tableware and plastic packaging.
“The need to change the habit of behavior, and also the need for alternative products.” She said.
The Australian government has organized a focus group to bring together scientists, environmentalists and resin producers. Schuyler is a member of the group. She said, “a lot of solutions” appeared in the two day “collective discussion”, which is currently being reviewed.
The Schuyler study examined the intake of debris in 6 species. The most dangerous is southern the Atlantic, the Pacific and India ocean waters warm olive Ridley turtle. “They are most likely to swallow plastic because they are usually foraging in moderate waters, targeting jellyfish.” She added.
Leatherback turtle is famous for eating plastic bags, because it only to eat jellyfish.

It’s hard to know how much plastic debris comes into the ocean every year, Schuyler says, and the number of researchers estimated at 4-12 tons.