What pollution is impacting the ocean? - Lesson Three

• Social Studies
• History
• +3
• 5th,6th Grade

Introduction

Lesson 3 – How does pollution impact marine wildlife? This lesson discusses how the different types of pollution impact marine wildlife. Learning activities:  Research the impacts of oil spills or entanglements.  Create posters to encourage people to stop using plastics.

Instructions

Time: 45 minutes

Contact: [e-mail]
© Sea Shepherd 2022

Lesson 3 - How does pollution impact marine wildlife?

This lesson is provided by Sea Shepherd.  Sea Shepherd was founded in 1977 and is a marine conservation organisation working to protect the oceans and marine wildlife.  Sea Shepherd works globally on a range of issues impacting the oceans, running numerous direct action campaigns each year.  Ocean pollution is one issue Sea Shepherd is working on to help stop marine wildlife dying.

What you already know...

You are going to learn...

Action required!

Evaluate your knowledge

Click on the image

Watch  the video

During the lesson we will use these icons to identify the learning actions.

How does ocean pollution impact marine wildlife?

Ask students “How does ocean pollution impact marine wildlife?”

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Solid pollution - mistaken for food.

One of the concerns with plastic pollution is that marine wildlife may mistake it for food and try to eat it or will eat it by accident.
Marine wildlife naturally is not familiar with plastic. Can you image being a baleen whale feeding on krill and fish, but also scooping up plastic bags and other rubbish.

Illegal Fishing

Illegal fishing means that the fishermen enter the territorial waters of a country or regulated marine zone without permission or without a license for the fish they intend to catch.

They are stealing from these waters.

INGESTING PLASTIC

Scientific studies show:

• 44% of marine mammals
• 86% of sea turtles  have plastic in their stomach.
• 80% of seabird species ingest plastic,

99% of the world's seabirds species will be ingesting plastic by 2050

Scientific studies on plastic pollution are revealing frightening results:
    44% of marine mammals and 86% of turtle species are estimated to have plastic in their stomach.
    80% of seabird species ingest plastic,
99% of the world's seabirds species will be ingesting plastic by 2050 if current marine pollution is not stopped.

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Entanglement in fishing gear

One type of plastic we discussed were fishing nets; abandoned, lost or dumped overboard becoming ghostnets.  These float in the ocean for many years and become death traps entangling all marine wildlife encountered.

Migrating whales become entangled in nets, craypots and traps. Once entangled they will drag the fishing gear along until they become tired and are unable to continue swimming. Their only hope is that they will be found and cut free.

Releasing whales from entanglements can be dangerous, but if they aren’t released by humans they will likely die.
Show this video from Sea Shepherd’s Operation Milagro in the Sea of Cortez.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L49AbW3wvJY&list=PLNmnNu36NAjgcyD532wDBEeKZJhobLbOv&index=107

Introduction to IUU fishing and the impact of overfishing.

Exposure to chemicals

During oil disasters, the oil and chemicals used for clean ups can be ingested or coat marine wildlife.  As can industrial chemicals dumped or leaking into waterways and the ocean.
Ask students: “What impact do chemicals in the ocean have on marine wildlife?”
    High levels of chemicals, like mercury, PCB’s, DDT and other chemicals are found in fish, especially apex predators – whales, dolphins, sharks and tuna.  These can have long term impacts on the health of these species.

Show this video (1.33mins) and then discuss how it makes the students feel, realizing this is what marine wildlife are putting up with every day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0_8vBijO1s&t=6s

www.seashepherdglobal.org

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Refer Teachers Guide for Learning Activities.