Plastic ingested by a Northern Fulmar found beached on Sable Island, NS. (Photo credit: A.L. Bond).
Ingestion of plastic by seabirds is a serious problem, but research into the issue is patchy, according to a new review paper.
Of the 91 seabird species in Canada, 33 have at least one reported case of plastic ingestion, however detailed data on plastic ingestion over time is available for only 6 species. Plastic ingestion is most common among surface-feeding species like fulmars and least common among diving species like common murres.
The authors say that analysis of plastic ingestion can and should easily be integrated into other types of field studies.
Original research paper published in the Environmental Reviews on August 1, 2014.
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