Texas Monofilament Recovery and Recycling

Plastic pollution affects all marine species, including sharks.

Sharks are primarily subject to ingestion of microplastics or other forms of plastic pollution through the process of bioaccumulation, which is the gradual build-up of substances in animals through ingestion or other routes of exposure. Essentially, if a fish towards the bottom of the food chain consumes microscopic plastic pieces, a shark consuming that fish could absorb those contaminants through ingestion. Other ways plastic pollution can harm sharks include inhalation of debris through the gills or entanglement around extremities.

Thankfully, there are ways you can help! Limiting your use of disposable plastic products can help prevent further plastic pollution in our oceans. Another easy plastic-free switch can be refusing to use balloons and other single-use party decorations that can often end up as plastic pollution in our oceans.

Read more about sharks and plastics at tx.ag/PlasticPredator

What exactly is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? What do ocean gyres have to do with it? What kinds of marine debris are garbage patches made up of? Find out the answers to these questions and more: https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/info/patch.html