Wildlife

Seabird Plastic Ingestion and Welfare

Plastic pollution in the oceans is causing widespread harm to seabirds through ingestion and entanglement, with serious welfare consequences for individuals and populations.

Key Facts

Over 90% of seabirds are estimated to have ingested plastic
Plastic accumulates in seabird stomachs, reducing food intake and causing internal injury
Chicks fed plastic by parents can die from starvation and internal blockage
Entanglement in plastic debris causes drowning, strangulation, and wing injury
Albatrosses and shearwaters are particularly heavily affected due to their foraging behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Seabirds with stomachs full of plastic experience reduced ability to absorb nutrients from food, leading to progressive starvation even when food is available. Chicks that receive plastic instead of fish from parents suffer nutritional deficiency and intestinal damage. Reducing plastic pollution at source is the only effective long-term solution to seabird plastic welfare impacts.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption and properly dispose of all plastic waste
Participate in beach and shoreline clean-up events
Support legislation for extended producer responsibility for plastic waste
Advocate for restrictions on the most environmentally damaging plastic products
Donate to organisations monitoring and responding to seabird plastic impacts