The plastic pollution continues to expand in seas and oceans around the planet, generating increasingly visible consequences on marine fauna. Among the most affected species are the sea turtles, essential animals for evaluating the environmental state of aquatic ecosystems due to their wide distribution and permanent contact with different habitats.
In this context, new data released by the Foundation for the Conservation and Recovery of Marine Animals (CRAM) have once again raised environmental alarms in the Mediterranean.
According to records corresponding to 2025, 74% of the turtles treated in the Clinic and Rescue Area had plastic remnants in their digestive system or showed signs of having been trapped in marine debris and fishing gear.
Additionally, specialists warned that the problem even affects very young specimens that have been in freedom for only a short time.
Injured turtles and accumulated debris in the sea
One of the cases that most concerned veterinarians was that of Pepe, a turtle admitted to the rescue center with a severe accumulation of gases in the digestive system.
After performing an emergency endoscopy, professionals managed to extract a large plastic fragment that partially obstructed its stomach. However, in the following days, the animal continued to expel debris, including the cap of a plastic bottle.
The situation was also repeated in a one-year-old hatchling, which eliminated significant amounts of plastic despite its short time of exposure to the marine environment.
For researchers, these episodes reflect the high level of pollution currently present in the Mediterranean. Additionally, the collected data shows a sustained increase in admissions of turtles affected by marine litter and abandoned nets.
The impact on the health of marine species
During 2025, the CRAM Foundation treated 98 sea turtles, including loggerhead turtles, green turtles, and leatherback turtles. In the analyzed samples, specialists found plastic debris in the majority of the individuals studied.
Although the fragments found were not always the direct cause of death, they did cause severe consequences on the health of the animals. Among the detected effects are severe enteritis, intestinal inflammation, general weakening, nutritional problems, and digestive obstructions.
Additionally, ten turtles arrived trapped in nets or marine debris, and four of them had to undergo amputations due to the severity of the injuries. In light of these cases, specialists recommend not attempting to free entangled animals without professional assistance and to immediately contact emergency services.
How plastic pollution alters marine ecosystems
The impact of plastic on the oceans goes far beyond the sea turtles. Over time, debris fragments and transforms into microplastics and nanoplastics that easily enter food chains.
These materials are ingested by fish, mollusks, birds, and marine mammals, affecting essential biological functions and altering the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Additionally, plastics act as chemical sponges capable of absorbing heavy metals and toxic pollutants that are then dispersed through the food chain.
According to international organizations, between 60 and 80% of the debris present in the sea corresponds to plastic materials. The persistent accumulation of marine litter also deteriorates coastal habitats, affects reefs, and reduces the natural recovery capacity of the oceans.
As environmental concern grows, specialists insist that the reduction of disposable plastic, recycling, and international cooperation will be key to reducing a threat that will continue affecting marine biodiversity for decades.
