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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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Tar, Trash and Turtles

Researchers have new concerns about the baby sea turtles that nest on Florida beaches and then head offshore to make a living. The turtles are consuming unusual amounts of plastic and tar, creating an immediate issue of their health, and sometimes leading to death. Blair Witherington is a research scientist (Blair Witherington, Research Scientist, Florida Marine Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)...

Scientists say as many as one-third of the baby sea turtles they've tested have been found with tar and plastic in their mouths or stomachs. And while they say litter and dumping is the obvious cause, researchers including the state's Blair Witherington say the trash ends up in the wrong place for turtles...

Litter on the high seas

Research scientist Blair Witherington is certain that litter and illegal dumping are to blame for tens of thousands of baby sea turtles facing health risks from ingesting plastic and tar. He says he is amazed at the amount of debris a turtle can encounter...

Scientists say as many as a third of baby loggerhead turtles are ingesting tar and plastic as they feed on offshore weedlines where the ocean's litter tends to collect. Research scientist Blair Witherington says while the turtles may be the first to be feel litter's impact, it could eventually reach the top of the food chain...

Policing the ocean for litter

Making a case against litter and dumping in the ocean, research scientist Blair Witherington points to a study that shows up to a third of tiny sea turtles having ingested plastic and tar. He says much of the offending material didn't get into the ocean by accident...