Marine Animals

Ocean Plastic Pollution and Wildlife Welfare

Over 8 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans annually, causing entanglement, ingestion injury, and toxic contamination across marine species.

Key Facts

Marine plastic is now found in every ocean, including the deepest trenches
Over 800 marine species are known to be affected by plastic ingestion or entanglement
Microplastics have been found in fish tissue, marine mammal blubber, and seabird eggs
Seabirds in some regions have 90%+ plastic in their stomach contents

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement in plastic causes drowning, strangulation, and amputated limbs. Animals with plastic-filled stomachs experience satiation without nutrition, and slowly starve with full-feeling stomachs. Ghost gear — abandoned fishing equipment — continues to trap and kill animals for decades after abandonment.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption systematically rather than item by item
Participate in organized beach and waterway cleanups
Support extended producer responsibility legislation making manufacturers fund cleanup
Avoid products using unnecessary plastic packaging and tell brands why