The threat single-use plastics pose to albatross in the Southern Hemisphere has been gravely underestimated, a University of Tasmania study has found
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A paper authored by Lauren Roman, from the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, estimated the frequency of plastic ingestion related deaths across different ocean basins.
"Albatrosses are among the most imperilled vertebrates on Earth, with more than two-thirds of albatross species on the endangered list," Roman said.
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"The Southern Hemisphere is home to the world's largest flying bird, the wandering albatross, and 18 other albatross species."
Researchers looked at 107 albatrosses brought to wildlife hospitals and pathology services in Australia and New Zealand.
Dr Roman said plastic ingestion was estimated to have caused 18 per cent of deaths with plastic bottles and balloons among the items causing the deaths.
Co-author Phil Kowalski said even a single plastic item could result in death if it caused an obstruction or a perforation.
Dr Roman said conservation actions were directed towards more visible threats such as fishery interactions and predation on chicks.
"However, marine debris, along with disease and trauma, are not easily observed threats, especially in pelagic seabird populations that spend most of their lives at sea," Dr Roman said.