The lifeless body of a whale was found on a beach near Cabo de Palos (Murcia) in February 2018 . The animal, approximately 10 meters long, had ingested different polluting residues, supposedly causing its death. Now, these suspicions have been confirmed, with some alarming data.
The autopsy has revealed that the whale died because of , specifically, 29 kilos of plastic . The researchers found inside the animal remains of bags of this material, as well as different fragments of nets, ropes and even drums.
According to the tests, everything indicates that the excessive amount of plastic blocked his digestive system , preventing it from expelling waste to the outside. Consequently, the plastic removal blockage caused the animal to infection of the abdomen, severe peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneal cavity due to infection) , and ultimately its death .
The case has reached the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Environment of Murcia. From here an awareness campaign has been launched on the danger that the garbage of the seas and oceans represents for animal life.
“The presence of plastics in seas and oceans is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of wildlife around the world. Many animals are trapped in the garbage or ingest large amounts of plastics that end up causing their death,” explains Consuelo Rosauro , general director of the natural environment in the autonomous government of Murcia.
Year 2050: more plastic than fish in the sea
One of the latest reports from the UK government reports that the amount of plastic in the oceans will triple , globally, in just 10 years . The data obtained from the research of the British group ‘ The Eco Experts ‘ indicate that by the year 2050 there could be more plastics than fish in the sea .
Although it is unknown to what extent this contamination of marine ecosystems extends, the truth is that a large number of animals have already been documented that ingest these objects or become entangled. And the numbers are increasing.
Unfortunately, it is not the first time that we have found a case about a whale (or any other species) that has appeared near the coast in a serious condition, or directly, without life. Now, experts warn of a new problem, the great threat posed by the presence of microplastics in water .
Movements like Greenpeace denounce that the seas and oceans are receptors of up to 12 million tons of garbage annually. And although different measures have been implemented, such as the collection of plastic bags, there is still a need for greater awareness on the part of citizens and the government. In Spain , for example, only 30% of plastics are recycled .
