The impact of marine debris on marine life is of particular concern, and effects can be wide reaching , with the consequences of ingestion and entanglement considered to be harmful.
Reports in the literature began in the 1960s with fatalities being well documented for birds, turtles, fish and marine mammals . Debris has also been shown to provide an additional surface for the rafting of organisms which has implications for the transport of non-native species,
and to provide new habitat for colonisation which may be particularly important where it provides hard substrate in areas that are otherwise predominantly of soft sediment . It may also cause physical changes to habitats , in particular coral reefs . Particular concern is associated with species listed on the IUCN Red List as these are at the greatest risk
of extinction from a diverse range of impacts. The incidence of marine debris and its potential to cause harm has resulted in it being recognised as a global problem and its listing among the major percieved threats to marine biodiversity . The problem has been recognised in global and regional agreements such as the decisions of the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity , the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals , the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution From Ships Annex V, and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive . Furthermore, the cumulative impacts of plastic resins on human health and the environment have led to proposals enacting legislation and policies classifying the most harmful types of plastic debris as hazardous waste .