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Study Reveals 1,300 Marine Species Ingest Plastics

11/28/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A study published November 17 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that nearly 1,300 marine species ingest plastics.
Researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed data from over 10,000 necropsies and found ingestion rates of 35% in seabirds, 12% in marine mammals, and 47% in sea turtles.
Mortality rates were 1.6%, 0.7%, and 4.4%, underscoring the need for policies to reduce plastic pollution, especially plastic bags.

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Story summary

A study published November 17 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences finds that nearly 1,300 marine species ingest plastics.
Researchers from the University of Toronto analyzed data from over 10,000 necropsies and found ingestion rates of 35% in seabirds, 12% in marine mammals, and 47% in sea turtles.
Mortality rates were 1.6%, 0.7%, and 4.4%, underscoring the need for policies to reduce plastic pollution, especially plastic bags.