In December 2019, a Sperm Whale was washed ashore on the Scottish coast. Following the autopsy to determine the causes of the animal’s death, 100 kilos of waste were found in its belly. It included fishing nets, ropes, plastic bags and straws.

While the link between the death of the animal and the waste it had ingested was not proven, the majestic cetacean was neither sick nor injured. We may however consider that the waste would have hindered the animal’s digestion.

Maritime transport represents 90% of the world's freight transport.

On March 16, 2019, a Cuvier's Beaked Whale washed up ashore on a beach in the Philippines, still alive, but emaciated and vomiting blood. Its stomach contained 40kg of plastic waste including

sixteen bags of rice, four bags used in banana plantations and several shopping bags

revealed D'Bone Collectore Museum Inc.

This waste caused the death of the young cetacean by preventing it from eating normally since it died of hunger.