Marine plastic pollution represents one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. According to recent estimates, around 11 million tons of plastic enter the ocean each year, affecting thousands of species and disrupting entire ecosystems. Every year, millions of tons of plastic end up in the sea, causing serious damage to ecosystems and the species that inhabit them. But what if cleaning up plastic wasn’t always the best solution? Some scientists have put forward a controversial idea that challenges our assumptions: leaving plastic in the oceans could, in certain cases, be less harmful to some marine ecosystems than trying to remove it. This approach invites us to reconsider how we address one of the most pressing environmental problems of our century.
The damage of plastic in the sea
Plastic, because of its resistance to natural degradation, poses several critical problems:
- Long lifespan: It can take hundreds of years to fully decompose.
- Microplastics: Particles smaller than 5 mm are ingested by marine organisms, causing health problems.
- Direct impact on wildlife: Injuries, digestive obstructions and poisoning are common among affected species.
In addition, poor waste management aggravates the problem, as a large part of the plastic produced is not recycled, but ends up in marine ecosystems.
The neuston paradox
A group of researchers argues that removing plastic from the seas could have unexpected consequences. This is due to the adaptation of certain organisms, such as neuston, a group of species that inhabit the surface of the water and include everything from algae to small mollusks.
In places like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as the “seventh continent,” these organisms have found a niche amid plastic pollution. The sea dragon Glaucus and the Janthina snail are examples of species that have thrived in this environment, using plastic fragments as floats that allow them to stay on the sea surface, where they find food and shelter. However, massive cleanup projects could endanger these ecosystems that we are just beginning to understand.

How does this affect biodiversity?
The impact of these plastic-adapted species goes beyond their own habitat. Many of them are essential links in the food chain, serving as food for larger animals such as turtles and fish. Altering their environment could trigger a domino effect in marine ecosystems, affecting entire trophic levels. This raises an even deeper question: how much do we really know about the interactions in these ecosystems adapted to adverse conditions, and what risks do we take by intervening without fully understanding them?
Final thought
The proposal not to clean up plastics in the oceans brings us to an ethical and environmental dilemma: do we prioritize the elimination of a harmful pollutant or do we preserve ecosystems that have adapted to it? Instead of focusing only on reactive solutions, it is essential to invest in reducing the production of plastics and in technologies that minimize their environmental impact. Approaching this problem with a holistic view could be the key to ensuring a more sustainable future for our oceans.
Continue your professional training
If you are interested in understanding environmental challenges from a scientific perspective and developing sustainable solutions, our Master in Environmental Management and Audits will provide you with key tools to do so. This program will allow you to delve into topics such as the impact of plastics on marine biodiversity and innovative strategies to mitigate ocean pollution. With this knowledge, you will be able to contribute to the development of policies, technologies and projects that balance ecosystem conservation with waste management, preparing you to lead environmental initiatives that make a difference in your professional career and the future of our planet.
Sources:
Certains scientifiques pensent qu’il vaut mieux laisser le plastique dans l’océan : pourquoi ?
Scientists surprise with new study calling to stop cleaning plastic from oceans