Wildlife

Marine Debris and Seabird Welfare

Marine debris including plastic, fishing line, and ghost gear causes injury and death to seabirds through entanglement and ingestion worldwide.

Key Facts

95% of Northern Fulmars found on Dutch beaches contain plastic in their stomachs
Plastic ingestion is documented in virtually all seabird species examined
Entanglement in ghost fishing gear kills seabirds including gannets and auks annually
Rubber bands used in commercial fishing are a significant entanglement hazard for razorbills
Some seabird species are declining partly due to plastic ingestion reducing reproductive success

Welfare Considerations

Marine debris causes welfare harm to seabirds through two distinct pathways: physical entanglement causing drowning and injury, and ingestion causing gut impaction, starvation, and reduced reproductive success. The scale of plastic pollution means that most seabird individuals will encounter and potentially ingest plastic throughout their lives. Reducing plastic production, improving waste management, and removing ghost gear addresses welfare harm at the source.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption choosing reusable alternatives
Participate in coastal and beach clean-up events removing debris
Support extended producer responsibility legislation for plastic packaging
Donate to seabird monitoring organisations tracking plastic impacts
Engage with policy consultations on marine plastic pollution reduction measures