Principal Scientist and head in-charge, Fishery Environment Management Division, Dr Kripa states, "Pollutants upset primary food production in water bodies by preventing the entry of sunlight into water, thus affecting the productivity of the region.M. Have you ever wondered where the plastic waste ends up? You probably won’t believe it if someone answers ‘inside a young male sperm whale that was found dead off the coast of Spain’. 

Marine life is in great danger and the prime reason for it is us, humans."According to recent studies, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050, if governments don’t take immediate action. Plastic microparticles are getting into the flesh of the fish we consume. This has been the case of Kochi. Consumption of plastic by marine creatures causes severe digestive problems, which go mainly untreated. Plastic bags, bottles and other disposable items are the most common littered objects, polluting and destroying entire ecosystems that are vital for the planet. They lack stringent law to prevent littering and plastic usage. 

 Though people are not throwing the plastic waste into oceans, they are not aware of the danger of dumping it in public places. People have to show some civic sense,” says retired associate professor and environmental activist Dr C. Also, littering in beaches impacts tourism.Plastic pollution is poisoning oceans, endangering marine life and ecosystems, thus, affecting health. "Our governments have failed to tackle the issue. Believe it or not, it is true. Government will have to urge and make plans to implement it,” he added. The waters are polluted with plastic like never before. Fishes have a tendency to eat whatever tiny pieces similar to their natural prey, even if plastic, float in the sea. Ghost nets, that are left behind by the fisherman, also cause trouble. Large amounts of plastic waste are washed into the ocean every year, jeopardising the natural ambience of the marine life. The only way is to reduce the use of plastic.

The plight of rivers across Kerala is another example of plastic waste that never PVC sheets goes away. The fate of the sperm whale maybe just another incident among marine species, as the use of plastic and unscientific dumping causes problems everywhere. She explains, "Marine debris is any man-made, solid material that enters waterways directly through littering or indirectly via rivers, streams and storm drains.”Fisheries Department’s research wing conducts a number of awareness classes and symposium about marine debris and its issues, but it still remains as a threat.More than eight million tonnes of plastic leak into the ocean each year, which is equivalent to dumping a truck filled with plastic into the sea every minute. In addition to causing intestinal injury and death to shellfishes, plastic also triggers the risk of extinction of bigger fishes and other marine mammals across the food chain.”While it is our duty to ensure that we are not littering, activists like Purushan Eloor says governments have a key role in this. 

Once again, it is a dire reminder that pollution has a great price, and that price is often paid by wildlife. Tons of plastic fragments — like grocery bags, straws and soda bottles — are carried into the oceans every day. Reports suggest that the consumption of plastic by all kinds of fishes amounts to several tonnes every year.Marine ecosystem has been facing threats from plastic pollution. Proper waste management is the only solution. If we need to see a change, we should start working towards it. Because these plastic wastes reach oceans eventually. Representative image: students observe an installation made of plastic bottles

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