Wild Sea Lion Entanglement in Fishing Gear

Sea lions worldwide face serious injury and death from entanglement in fishing lines, nets, and plastic debris, causing painful wounds and drowning.

Key Facts

Thousands of sea lions die from fishing gear entanglement each year globally
Monofilament fishing line cuts deeply into flippers and necks as animals grow
Entangled sea lions often suffer for weeks before dying or being rescued
Plastic six-pack rings and packaging cause severe constriction injuries
Marine debris entanglement rates are increasing as ocean plastic pollution grows
Rescue organizations successfully disentangle hundreds of animals annually

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement is one of the most prolonged and painful ways a sea lion can die. Fishing line wrapped around a neck or flipper tightens as the animal grows, cutting through skin and muscle over months. Animals are often observed in severe distress before rescue is possible. Even when rescued, many have permanent injuries affecting their ability to hunt and survive. The scale of this suffering — affecting thousands of individuals annually — makes it a significant wildlife welfare crisis.

What You Can Do

Properly dispose of all fishing line and plastic packaging to prevent ocean pollution
Support organizations that rescue and rehabilitate entangled marine mammals
Choose seafood from fisheries with low bycatch and entanglement rates
Participate in beach cleanups to remove potential entanglement hazards
Advocate for stronger regulations on ghost fishing gear retrieval