Marine Animals

Marine Plastic Pollution and Wildlife Welfare

Plastic waste in the oceans causes direct harm to marine wildlife through entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination, representing one of the largest sources of anthropogenic wildlife suffering.

Key Facts

An estimated 8 million tonnes of plastic enter the oceans annually
Over 700 marine species have been documented affected by marine plastic
Sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals suffer most from macro-plastic entanglement
Microplastics have been found in the digestive systems of nearly all marine species tested
Ghost fishing gear — lost or abandoned nets — continues to catch animals indefinitely

Welfare Considerations

Marine plastic causes prolonged suffering in individual animals. Entangled animals experience constriction injuries, restriction of feeding, and exhaustion. Ingested plastics cause internal blockages, reduced feeding drive, and toxic chemical exposure. Ghost nets kill billions of animals in slow, invisible, ongoing events across the ocean. The welfare scale of marine plastic is staggering, and reduction requires both individual and systemic action.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption across all product categories
Participate in beach and river clean-up events
Support extended producer responsibility legislation for plastic packaging
Choose products with minimal or biodegradable packaging
Donate to ocean plastic removal initiatives and marine wildlife rehabilitation