Issue 110 - July 2024
Choking The Seas: How Marine Debris is Reshaping Ecosystems
By Nhu-Y Tran
Millions of pounds of plastics enter the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. Marine ecosystems have had to evolve rapidly to survive these changes. If climate change and plastic pollution continue to increase at these rates, marine ecosystems may no longer be able to keep up with the changes. We need to enact change by taking steps to decrease the impacts of anthropogenic change on marine ecosystems.

Impacts of Climate Change & Urbanization
Marine debris, which is any solid material that accidentally or deliberately ends up in the ocean, can significantly impact marine ecosystems worldwide. This includes injuring or killing wildlife, damaging habitats, and even changing the way these environments adapt and evolve to their presence (Alter et al., 2021; Galloway et al., 2017). However, marine ecosystems are incredibly diverse and resilient, allowing them to readily adapt and evolve in response to anthropogenic changes such as climate change, urbanization, and pollution.
Adaptations are traits that an individual organism has developed to improve its chances of survival, and evolution is adaptations or changes that occur across a population over several generations. Anthropogenic changes are a major concern because of their effect on the ability of species, and ecosystems as a whole, to adapt and evolve. Climate change has led to acidification and elevated temperatures in the ocean, and urbanization has led to habitat fragmentation and loss as well as increased pollution in and around coastal and marine environments (Alter et al., 2021; Audzijonyte et al., 2016; Medina et al., 2007; Paulus, 2021).
Evolving Tolerance: How Marine Life Copes with Stress
In response to these stressors, many species have developed adaptations to better survive and thrive. Alter et al. (2021) and Audzijonyte et al. (2016) highlight the role that phenotypic plasticity, which are changes in the physical characteristics or presentation of an animal in response to their environment, plays in whether species are able to successfully adapt to the ever-changing marine environment. For example, many marine plants, fish, and invertebrates have evolved to become more tolerant, and in some cases even resistant, to the increased presence of toxic chemicals and metals such as copper (Alter et al., 2021; Oziolor et al., 2019). Water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) have adapted to absorb, store, and filter metal and organic pollutants through their roots (De Laet et al., 2019). Gulf killifish (Fundulus grandis) in the Gulf of Mexico have evolved to become resistant to halogenated and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are common industrial pollutants (Oziolor et al., 2019). Additionally, various gastropod species found in heavily polluted waters worldwide have been observed to have increased tolerance and/or resistance to metal and organic pollutants (Alter et al., 2021). In some cases, these pollutants or other stressors can be too much or occur too quickly for species to adapt, leading to them being replaced or removed altogether from that ecosystem (Medina et al., 2007).


Impacts of Plastics & Other Pollution
In addition to climate change, another major anthropogenic change that has a significant impact on marine ecosystems is plastic pollution. With over 14 million tons of plastic entering the ocean each year, marine ecosystems have had no choice but to adapt and evolve to survive (IUCN, 2021). Plastic pollution comes in all shapes and sizes, each with a varying threat level to its surrounding ecosystem. Microplastics, which are plastic pieces less than 5mm long, are one of the biggest threats. This is because they can more easily absorb and release toxic chemicals and pollutants and can be ingested by organisms of practically any size (Feng et al., 2023; Galloway et al., 2017; Xu et al., 2021).
Additionally, microplastics heavily impact the ability of marine ecosystems to adapt and evolve to the presence of plastics and other environmental stressors. Some studies have found that some benthic and microbial species, such as Brittle stars, mussels, and methanogenic and sulfate-metabolizing bacteria, had adapted to be able to digest microplastics and/or develop a resistance to the toxic chemicals that had been absorbed by the plastic (Feng et al., 2023; Galloway et al., 2017). This can be beneficial for those species’ longevity with the growing plastic problem. However, it could potentially leave them vulnerable to other environmental stressors by reducing their overall genetic diversity due to natural selection favouring individuals with certain traits, such as the ability to digest plastics or tolerate exposure to toxic chemicals (Medina et al., 2007).

While microplastics are the most dangerous type of plastic pollution, other plastics also play a role in the evolution of marine ecosystems. In studies by Garcia-Gomez et al. (2021) and Haram et al. (2023), large plastics and other debris were observed to be used as rafts for various species. These “rafts” promoted the dispersal of invasive marine species, such as mussels, water hyacinths, and amphipods, which drastically disrupted the balance of whatever new ecosystem they arrived at. For example, food chains are often disrupted as these invasive species often lack any natural predators, allowing populations to thrive and consume all of the natural resources available.
Additionally, invasive species often carry and spread diseases that could wipe out native species (Garcia-Gomez et al., 2021). While rafts can promote the dispersal of species to new ecosystems, they can also promote isolation in others. In a study where invertebrate species were observed to be left adrift on rafts for extended periods, the isolated conditions occasionally triggered direct development or asexual reproduction in some species (Haram et al., 2023); this is a great example of the importance that phenotypic plasticity plays in the evolution and ultimate survival for many species. However, these processes can only occur so fast. If these issues continue to increase at their current rates, marine ecosystems may no longer be able to keep up.
Saving Our Seas
Anthropogenic activities pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems. Ocean acidification, increased temperatures, and habitat loss as a result of human-induced climate change and urbanization have forced marine species to adapt and evolve to survive rapidly. Plastics are also a major threat to marine environments. Microplastics readily absorb and release toxic chemicals which pose a risk to organisms of all sizes. Meanwhile, larger plastic debris can act as rafts, which can lead to the dispersal of invasive marine species, disruption of food chains, and spread of disease.
As the primary source of marine debris, it’s up to us to take action to help save our seas. Some ways to do this include ditching disposables by saying no to single-use plastics and investing in reusable alternatives, spreading the word by talking to friends and family, and getting involved by supporting policies that reduce plastic use or joining organizations working to keep our oceans clean. Our choices, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant, matter and do make a difference. Let’s do our part to keep our oceans clean, healthy, and teeming with life!


About The Author
Nhu-Y Tran is a graduate student with Project Dragonfly at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in conjunction with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
References
- Alter, S., Tariq, L., Creed, J., & Megafu, E. (2021). Evolutionary responses of marine organisms to urbanized seascapes. Evolutionary Applications, 14(1), 210-232.
- Audzijonyte, A., Fulton, E., Haddon, M., Helidoniotis, F., Hobday, A., Kuparinen, A., Morrongiello, J., Smith, A., Upston, J., & Waples, R. (2016). Trends and management implications of human-influenced life-history changes in marine ectotherms. Fish and Fisheries, 17(4), 1005-1028.
- De Laet, C., Matringe, T., Petit, E., & Grison, C. (2019). Eichhornia crassipes: A powerful bio-indicator for water pollution by emerging pollutants. Scientific Reports, 9(7326), 1-10.
- Feng, J., Li, C., Tang, L., Wu, X., Wang, Y., Yang, Z., Yuan, W., Sun, L., Hu, W., & Zhang, S. (2023). Tracing the century-long evolution of microplastics deposition in a cold seep. Advanced Science, 10(10), 1-13.
- Galloway, T., Cole, M., & Lewis, C. (2017). Interactions of microplastic debris throughout the marine ecosystem. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 1(0116), 1-8.
- Garcia-Gomez, J., Garrigos, M., & Garrigos, J. (2021). Plastic as a vector of dispersion for marine species with invasive potential. A review. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 9(629756), 1-28.
- Haram, L., Carlton, J., Centurioni, L., Choong, H., Cornwell, B., Crowley, M., Egger, M., Hafner, J., Hormann, V., Lebreton, L., Maximenko, N., McCuller, M., Murray, C., Par, J., Shcherbina, A., Wright, C., & Ruiz, G. (2023). Extent and reproduction of coastal species on plastic debris in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 7, 687-697.
- IUCN. (2021). Marine Plastic Pollution. IUCN. Retrieved from https://www.iucn.org/resources/issues-brief/marine-plastic-pollution
- Medina, M., Correa, J., & Barata, C. (2007). Micro-evolution due to pollution: Possible consequences for ecosystem responses to toxic stress. Chemosphere, 67(11), 2105-2114.
- Oziolor, E., Reid, N., Yair, S., Lee, K., Verploeg, S., Bruns, P., Shaw, J., Whitehead, A., & Matson, C. (2019). Adaptive introgression enables evolutionary rescue from extreme environmental pollution. Science, 364(6439), 455-457.
- Paulus, E. (2021). Shedding light on deep-sea biodiversity ⎯ A highly vulnerable habitat in the face of anthropogenic change. Frontiers in Global Change and the Future Ocean, 8(667048), 1-15.
- Xu, X., Hou, Y., Zhao, C., Shi, L., & Gong, Y. (2021). Research on cooperation mechanism of marine plastic waste management based on complex network evolutionary game. Marine Policy, 134(104774), 1-17.
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Issue 110 - July 2024
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – July 2024 – Issue 110

NEWSROOM
Back to the Bay: Southern Sea Otter Conservation Efforts in Northern California
The southern sea otter, or California sea otter, is one of three endangered subspecies of sea otter found in a small area near central California. Despite government protection, this species has been endangered for over sixty years, unable to make significant population growth in almost thirty years. Read more…
Choking The Seas: How Marine Debris is Reshaping Ecosystems
Millions of pounds of plastics enter the ocean, wreaking havoc on marine ecosystems. Marine ecosystems have had to evolve rapidly to survive these changes. If climate change and plastic pollution continue to increase at these rates, marine ecosystems may no longer be able to keep up with the changes. Read more…
Actions to Strengthen Marine Turtle Conservation Agreed at UN Meeting in Tanzania
Governments, scientific experts and stakeholders gathered over four days in an international meeting that ended today to discuss pressing conservation issues for marine turtles in the Indian Ocean and South-East Asia region. Read more…
CCMI Reveals The Impact & Future Implications of Record-Breaking Temperature on Little Cayman’s Reefs
CCMI’s 2023 Coral Bleaching Report Card shows that the coral bleaching in Little Cayman was severe, and comparably more severe than other reefs in the region, this is likely to be attributed to factors including higher coral cover to start with and the presence of more susceptible species that are not present on most reefs with more stressors. Read more…
Book Suggestion: The Arctic in Peril, A Photographic Journey Through a Changing Landscape
In “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White,” Sebastian Copeland invites us on an extraordinary visual journey to the heart of a vanishing world. Through his lens, we witness the raw beauty and delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem, a landscape of ethereal ice formations, vast tundra, and resilient wildlife. Read more…
Dive in with The Reef-World Foundation: “Drops in the Ocean” Campaign Sweeps Across the UK!
The Reef-World Foundation, a leading non-profit dedicated to coral reef conservation, today announced the exciting launch of its new campaign, “Drops in the Ocean,” which went live on Monday, 17 June across the UK. This impactful campaign receives a significant boost. Read more…
The Sea Serpent and Limits to Growth
The learned men of the Boston Natural History Society had studied their Bestiaries, ancient, illustrated volumes of all the animals, and set out for Gloucester’s high rocky shore to survey the seascape. There, they found what they were looking for. Read more…
G20 CORDAP & KSLOF Forge Historic Partnership to Combat Coral Reef Decline
This partnership, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to harness the unique strengths and resources of both organizations to enhance coral reef conservation and restoration efforts on a global scale. Read more…
Scientists on a research expedition onboard Schmidt Ocean Institute’s R/V Falkor (too) have located Chile’s deepest and most northern cold seeps. At 2836 meters deep, the seeps provide chemical energy for deep-sea animals living without sunlight, offering potential insights into the conditions that led to the development of life on Earth. Read more…
Wild Women Expeditions Voted Best Adventure Tour Operator in the 2024 USA Today Readers’ Choice Awards
Wild Women Expeditions has been voted ‘Best Adventure Tour Operator’ in the 2024 edition of the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The leader in women’s adventure travel takes the top spot for the second year running, and the third time overall, having won this category in 2021 as well. Read more…
The Parrot & the Igloo, Exposing the History of Climate Change Denial
In “The Parrot and the Igloo,” David Lipsky embarks on an ambitious initiative to untangle the complex history of climate change denial. With a deft hand, he weaves together a narrative that is both informative and captivating, exposing missed opportunities, deliberate misinformation, and the intricate dance between science and politics. Read more…
Saudi Arabia Shows Initiatives, Bolstering Ocean Sustainability & Biodiversity Conservation at High-Level Event

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member and Climate Affairs Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir took part in the High-Level Event on Ocean Action, held in the capital of Costa Rica, San José, from June 7-8, at the head of the Kingdom’s delegation. Read more…
Feature Destination
Geneva ranks among the top five European destinations for 2024
Geneva Tourism is delighted to announce that the iconic Swiss city has been named one of Europe’s leading destinations to visit in 2024 by European Best Destinations – the most visited travel and culture website in Europe with 8 million visitors annually. Read more…
World Oceans Day Highlights Immediate Protection Measures Needed
UN World Oceans Day, celebrated on Friday at UN Headquarters in New York, focused on “opening minds, igniting senses, and inspiring possibilities” to protect marine life worldwide. Read more…
A Traveler’s Guide to Discovering the Charm of Geneva
For many, Geneva may not immediately come to mind as a bustling tourist destination compared to other European cities. It lacks sandy beaches and a certain youthful exuberance, but what it offers is a rich cultural tapestry. Read more…
ASEAN & UNDP Launch Joint GEF-Funded Marine Conservation Project
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the governments of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand, kick start this year’s World Ocean Day celebration with the launching and inception of the GEF-funded joint marine conservation project – Effectively Managing Networks of Marine Protected Areas in Large Marine Ecosystems in the ASEAN Region (ASEAN ENMAPS)–on 6 June 2024. Read more…
The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List
Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.
To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.
Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.
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Book Suggestion
Book Suggestion: The Arctic in Peril, A Photographic Journey Through a Changing Landscape
In “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White,” Sebastian Copeland invites us on an extraordinary visual journey to the heart of a vanishing world. Through his lens, we witness the raw beauty and delicate balance of the Arctic ecosystem, a landscape of ethereal ice formations, vast tundra, and resilient wildlife.

Copeland’s photographs are not merely stunning works of art; they are a poignant testament to the alarming pace of climate change. His images of melting glaciers, receding sea ice, and altered animal migration patterns serve as a wake-up call to the urgent need for climate action. Each photograph tells a story of transformation and loss, showcasing the vulnerability of this pristine wilderness to the effects of human activity.
But “The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White” is not simply a lament for a disappearing landscape. Copeland’s narrative goes beyond the visual, offering a nuanced exploration of the complex relationship between humans and nature. He delves into the history of Arctic exploration, the challenges faced by indigenous communities, and the geopolitical implications of a rapidly changing Arctic. His words paint a picture of a region at a crossroads, facing unprecedented challenges yet brimming with potential for resilience and adaptation.
The book’s poetic prose and striking imagery combine to create an immersive experience that transports readers to the heart of the Arctic. Copeland’s passion for this fragile ecosystem is evident on every page, as he shares his reflections and insights gained from years of exploration and advocacy.



“The Arctic: A Darker Shade of White” is a compelling demonstration of the power of photography to inspire change. It is a visual symphony that awakens our senses, challenges our assumptions, and compels us to protect this extraordinary place before it’s too late. As Dr. Jane Goodall eloquently states in her foreword, this book is “a powerful and moving tribute to a region that is both awe-inspiring and deeply vulnerable.”


About The Author
With approximately 6,000 miles under his skis in the polar regions, Sebastian Copeland has led numerous expeditions to the North and South Poles on foot. Noted as a photographer “who has produced works that are of outstanding artistic merit and communicate messages of urgent global significance,” Copeland has addressed audiences at the UN, universities, and many Fortune 500 companies to warn of the systemic transformations taking place in the polar regions and their geopolitical consequences. In 2017, Men’s Journal named Copeland one of 25 of the world’s top adventurers of the last 25 years. The Arctic completes a polar trilogy comprising Antarctica: The Waking Giant (2020) and Polar Explorations (2022). Copeland was named four times Photographer of the Year. In 2019, he was knighted by French President Emmanuel Macron in the National Order of Merit; and the National Order of Arts and Letters. Dr. Jane Goodall, known for her landmark chimpanzee study, is the most recognizable figure in conservation today.
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Book Suggestion
Book Suggestion: The Parrot & the Igloo, Exposing the History of Climate Change Denial
In “The Parrot and the Igloo,” David Lipsky embarks on an ambitious initiative to untangle the complex history of climate change denial. With a deft hand, he weaves together a narrative that is both informative and captivating, exposing missed opportunities, deliberate misinformation, and the intricate dance between science and politics.

Lipsky’s journey begins with the early warnings of global warming, highlighting the missed signals and the rise of a professional lying apparatus that has cast doubt on the scientific consensus. He meticulously traces the origins of this disinformation campaign, revealing how the same tactics used to deny the dangers of cigarettes and acid rain were employed to undermine climate science.
Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Lipsky exposes the human element of climate change denial, delving into the motivations and consequences of inaction. He questions the role of media, corporations, and politics in shaping public opinion and hindering meaningful action. By unravelling the tangled web of denial, Lipsky empowers readers to critically assess the information presented to them and to seek the truth about the climate crisis.
The book serves as a wake-up call, urging readers to confront the urgency of the situation and to challenge the misinformation that has stalled progress. Lipsky’s unique perspective, honed through his experience as a writer and professor of narrative, allows him to present complex issues in a clear and accessible manner, making the book a compelling read for both experts and newcomers to the topic.
“The Parrot and the Igloo” is not just a historical record but also a call to action. It encourages readers to engage with the issue, to question the narratives presented to them, and to seek the truth about climate change. Lipsky’s engaging writing style and insightful analysis make this book an essential read for anyone concerned about the future of our planet. It is a timely and essential contribution to the ongoing discussion about climate change, offering a unique perspective that is both informative and thought-provoking.
By exposing the tactics of climate change denial and highlighting the urgent need for action, Lipsky’s book empowers readers to make informed decisions and engage in meaningful conversations about the climate crisis. “The Parrot and the Igloo” is a powerful tool for understanding and addressing the challenges of climate change, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of a daunting global crisis.
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