According to National Geographic (2019), only certain species of whales , specifically deep-diving toothed whales, seem to have a higher tendency to be washed ashore onto beaches filled with plastics. The ingestion of plastics is narrowed down to biological features of whales where Baleen whales (eg: humpbacks and blue whales) have natural filters instead of teeth that do not allow big pieces of their diet to enter their throat and subsequently into their system. Thus, why big pieces of plastic does not enter whales with such biological features.
But what about microplastics then?
While the National Geographic article mentioned that it was an unanswered question, perhaps another news article provides a brief answer to that question instead. Based on a study on fin whales in the Mediterranean Sea, it was concluded that microplastics are in fact being ingested based upon the observation of toxic chemicals in them (The Independent, 2018). However, both articles agree that there is a general lack of research with regards to microplastics consumption and its effects on whales, specifically filter-feeders.
If you guys remember, the previous post mentioned about the multiple sightings of whales being washed ashore with heaps of plastics in them. While these trend itself is alarming, the National Geographic (2019) states that there majority of the whales sink to the ocean floor. With that new information in mind, we can only imagine the ACTUAL number of whales that are affected by plastic pollution and are dying with stomachs filled with plastics. The plastics merely return back to the ocean after using the whales as temporary sinks. I presume the cycle repeats when other deep diving whales consume the plastic again. While this cycle repeats, the amount of plastics in the seas keep increasing as years pass by. The issue is not resolved and whales are exposed to more plastics instead 🙁
References
National Geographic (2019) Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/12/whales-eating-plastic-pollution/
The Independent (2018) Available at: https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/microplastics-ocean-pollution-whales-sharks-threat-plastic-coffee-cups-microbeads-a8194131.html
Whale-come and have a nice day (this was original by me HAHA)
Check out the next post to learn more details about plastic pollution in certain whales