Blog Post

Stranded Sperm whale in the U.K. had 100 kg of plastic in its stomach.

admin admin • December 2, 2019

Marine Mammal Scientists have determined that a sperm whale stranded in the Isle of Harris in Scotland's outer Hebrides had a "huge ball" of marine debris in its stomach, aproximately 100 kg in weight. While it is uncertain if the plastic debris was the cause of the whale's death - it highlights the broader issue of marine pollution.

The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), an organisation that investigates whale and dolphin mortality, discovered approx. 100 kg of plastics inside the stomach of a dead stranded sperm whale, which included fishing nets, bundlees of rope, plastic cups, plastic bags, plastic gloves, packaging and tubing.

The Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS) have described the event as "horrific" and have said that the debris seemed to have come from both the land and fishing sectors and could have been ingested anywhere between te Azores and Norway. The group has revealed that by the time they managed to conduct a necropsy having located the whale, it had been deceased over 48 hours which led to it being in a delicate position for examination. It has been said that the animals guts blew out of its side when the examination began.

© Ocean Research & Conservation Ireland (ORCireland) and www.orcireland.ie , est. 2017. If you like our blogs on the latest news in marine science and would like to support our work, visit www.orcireland.ie to become a member, to volunteer or to make a donation today.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE

By ORCA SciComm Team April 10, 2024
The Urgent Call to Protect Our Marine Life: Stand Against Pair Trawling in Irish Waters ORCA SciComm Team | 10th of April 2024 In the diverse waters surrounding Ireland, a battle for the future of marine conservation is being waged—a battle that calls for your voice and action. As a leading marine conservation NGO, ORCA Ireland are at the forefront of advocating for the protection of our oceans and the incredible life they harbor. Today, we stand united with other leading organisations around the country against a grave threat: pair trawling within the 6 nautical mile zone, a practice that endangers the rich biodiversity of our coastal waters.
By Emer Keaveney March 30, 2024
New Research on Distinct Species of Killer Whales Emer Keaveney/ ORCA SciComm | 29th March 2024
By Kiera Mc Garvey Sears January 16, 2024
Ocean Noise Pollution - Impacts on Marine Wildlife Kiera Mc Garvey Sears I 16th January 2024 Marine noise pollution can have significant negative impacts on marine mammals, including increased stress levels, tissue damage, hearing loss, and even death, and researchers are studying how individual responses to noise can affect the overall population.
By ORCA Scicomm Team December 15, 2023
URGENT need for an International Fossil Fuel Non-Expansion Treaty. ORCA Sci-comm Team I 15th December 2023.
By ORCA SciComm Team December 1, 2023
Are Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) developments just a “quick-fix” money-making scheme by greenwashing energy companies? ORCA SciComm Team | 1st December 2023
By ORCA SciComm Team | 30th November 2023 November 30, 2023
COP28 Controversies: The Urgency of Action and Accountability ORCA SciComm Team | 30th November 2023 COP28 represents the UN's most recent series of international climate negotiations taking place from November 30th to December 12th, 2023. This year, it is hosted by the UAE in Dubai and is expected to be attended by 167 world leaders, among them the Pope and King Charles III. As the first day of COP28 begins, the critical climate conference taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we at ORCA Ireland find ourselves reflecting on the paradox that frames this event. The UAE, a nation with an economy that is built on oil and gas production, is hosting a summit aimed at mitigating the very crisis exacerbated by fossil fuels. This juxtaposition is not lost on the global community, particularly in light of leaked documents suggesting an agenda to boost oil and gas production rather than reduce it.
By Kiera McGarvey Sears I ORCA Scicomm Team November 21, 2023
Ocean Noise Pollution - Part 1 - Episode 1 20th November 2023 I Kiera Mc Garvey Sears - ORCA Scicomm Team ORCA Ireland is delighted to present a new educational series focusing on Ocean Noise Pollution. Written and produced by ORCA Ireland's Educational Officer, Marine Biologist - Kiera Mc Garvey Sears, this episode explores some of the sources of noise in our oceans, including biophony, geophony and anthrophony. Dive in and learn about this unseen but not unheard threat to marine wildlife in our oceans. Ocean noise, both natural and human-introduced, has a significant impact on marine life and ecosystems. Here is why:
By ORCA SciComm Team August 21, 2023
Lolita, also known as Tokitae, was a killer whale who was captured from the wild in 1970 and has been living in captivity ever since. She was the last surviving orca from the infamous capture of the Southern Resident killer whales in Penn Cove, Washington. For over 50 years, Lolita has been living in a small tank at the Miami Seaquarium, where she has been performing for crowds and living a life that is far from natural.
By Emer Keaveney August 11, 2023
The World's Most Endangered Marine Mammal.
By Emer Keaveney July 15, 2023
WORLD ORCA DAY The Last Orcas of Ireland and the U.K. Emer Keaveney I July 14th, 2023
Show More
Share by: