Marine Debris and Wildlife Entanglement

Ghost fishing gear, plastic packaging, and other marine debris entangles and kills millions of marine animals annually, causing prolonged suffering before death or debilitation.

Key Facts

Ghost fishing gear -- lost or abandoned nets and lines -- kills an estimated 640,000 tonnes of marine life annually
Entangled seals, sea lions, and dolphins may carry constricting debris for months or years before death or rescue
Plastic ring holders, fishing line, and packaging materials entangle seabirds, reptiles, and marine mammals
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch contains an estimated 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic
Ghost gear retrieval programmes have recovered thousands of tonnes of abandoned fishing equipment

Welfare Considerations

Marine debris entanglement causes prolonged and visible suffering. Seals and sea lions with netting wrapped around their necks carry the constriction as they grow, the material cutting deeper into flesh over months. Entangled turtles swim abnormally, suffer injuries, and often drown. Seabirds with necks caught in fishing line cannot swallow food. These animals may suffer for months before dying or being rescued. Ghost gear retrieval and debris removal provide direct welfare relief to individual animals. Systemic solutions -- ending the loss of fishing gear and reducing plastic waste -- are the only way to address the problem at scale.

What You Can Do

Participate in beach and coastal marine debris cleanups
Support ghost gear retrieval programmes and fishing industry gear marking requirements
Reduce single-use plastic consumption and advocate for plastic production restrictions
Donate to marine animal rescue organisations that respond to entanglement cases
Report entangled marine animals to local wildlife rescue services immediately