Florida's Dolphins Are Breathing Plastic – What Does This Mean for Us?
Twenty years ago, I worked with the Dolphin Rescue and Rehabilitation team at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. We rescued dolphins from the Indian River Lagoon that were suffering from a range of illnesses—many caused by pollution and red tides. Dolphins, once considered resilient guardians of their coastal ecosystems, were showing symptoms that no wild animal should experience. It was a grim warning then, and now, the situation has only worsened in ways we could not have imagined.
With a rescued dolphin during a medical examination at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. 2001.
Today, Florida’s dolphins face a new and horrifying challenge: plastic particles are literally raining down on them. Yes, you read that right. Microplastics have infiltrated our atmosphere and waterways to such an extent that dolphins, through the very act of breathing, are being exposed to toxic plastic pollution.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology revealed that the tissues of stranded dolphins in Florida contained microplastics, confirming the transfer of these particles from both their environment and diet. These microplastics are not just passive debris; they carry harmful chemicals and disrupt endocrine systems, potentially leading to long-term damage for marine life. Dolphins are being bombarded from all sides—polluted waters, contaminated prey, and now, plastic-laden air.
Read more here.
Dolphins as an Indicator Species: What This Means for Humans
Dolphins are what scientists call "indicator species," meaning that their health reflects the overall condition of their environment—an environment that humans also depend on. If dolphins are being poisoned by plastic in their air and water, what does that mean for us? Studies have already shown microplastics in human blood, lungs, and placentas. This isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a public health crisis in the making.
What’s happening in Florida is a microcosm of a global catastrophe. Over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced each year, and only 9% of it is recycled. The rest? It pollutes our oceans, ecosystems, and increasingly, the very air we breathe.
This Insanity Needs to Stop
The scale of this crisis is overwhelming, but we cannot afford to be paralyzed by its enormity. The path forward requires urgent action on multiple fronts:
End the Production of Single-Use Plastics – We must pressure governments to implement comprehensive bans and regulations on non-essential plastic production.
Adopt Reusable Solutions – Innovation and investment in reusable packaging and refill systems need to become priorities for businesses and policymakers.
Enforce Clean Water and Air Standards – Protecting marine ecosystems means improving both water and air quality. It’s not just about what ends up in our oceans; it’s about what circulates through the entire biosphere.
A Call to Action
Twenty years ago, rescuing dolphins was a deeply personal experience for me. It taught me how interconnected life on this planet is. Today, as dolphins breathe plastic in the waters of Florida, we must face the sobering truth: we are all in this together. Their fate is a reflection of our own future.
This is a call for systemic change. We need policymakers, corporations, and everyday citizens to work together to reduce plastic at the source. Let’s stop this insanity—for the dolphins, for ourselves, and for the generations that will come after us.
It's not just their survival at stake; it's ours.
