Cutting the bird loose only makes the problem worse, as the pelican gets its wings and feet tangled in the line, or gets snagged onto a tree. Clogging their intestines, and missing out on vital nutrients, the turtles starve to death. Seabirds undergo a similar ordeal, mistaking the pellets for fish eggs, small crab and other prey, sometimes even feeding the pellets to their young. These small plastic particles have been found in the stomachs of 63 of the world's approximately 250 species of seabirds. Wildlife is not the only area to suffer from the effects of marine debris.
Plastic bags are the leading external cause of marine engine damage in Massachusetts.
Other plastic items foul propellers and interfere with fishing tackle. What's being done about plastics In 1987, a law was finally passed restricting the dumping of plastics into the ocean. It prohibits the dumping of plastics anywhere in the ocean, and the dumping of other materials, such as paper, glass, metal, and crockery, closer to shore. The plastics industry has also stepped in, taking measures to reclaim plastic resin pellets that often get lost during production or transport. Although all materials eventually break down, a plastic soda ring can take up to 400 years to biodegrade.