Lost and discarded monofilament fishing line entangles seabirds, causing injury, amputations, and death across coastal and inland waterway environments globally.
Fishing line entanglement is one of the most preventable causes of seabird welfare harm. A bird that entangles its leg in monofilament line experiences progressive constriction as the line tightens with movement, cutting through tissue over days or weeks until the limb is amputated or blood supply is entirely cut off. Birds brought to wildlife hospitals with line entanglement injuries are in significant pain and often lose limbs they need for survival. The solution is simple and available: responsible disposal of fishing line in recycling bins, adoption of biodegradable alternatives, and line recycling infrastructure at popular fishing locations.