More than a thousand sea turtles die every year after becoming entangled in plastic and other waste dumped in the oceans and on beaches, a study has found (Ben Webster writes). Plastic items killing turtles include loops used to bind six packs of drinks cans, packaging straps and discarded fishing gear. All seven sea turtle species are affected, with a disproportionate impact on hatchlings and young turtles, research by the University of Exeter found. Scientists asked 106 turtle experts working on coasts around the world, with 84 per cent saying they had found turtles entangled in rubbish, including plastic debris. The study, published in Endangered Species Research, concluded that at least 1,000 turtles were dying from entanglement with rubbish.

Source: The Times December 12, 2017 00:00 UTC