Wildlife Rescue from Entanglement in Fishing Gear

Marine debris and abandoned fishing gear entangles thousands of marine animals annually, causing drowning, injury, and chronic impairment that represents a major preventable welfare burden.

Key Facts

Ghost gear — abandoned or lost fishing equipment — is the deadliest form of marine debris for animals
An estimated 640,000 tonnes of ghost gear enters the ocean annually
Species affected include sea turtles, dolphins, seals, whales, sharks, and seabirds
Entangled animals may drag gear for months causing exhaustion, starvation, and infection
The Global Ghost Gear Initiative and marine rescue teams work to remove and rescue affected animals

Welfare Considerations

Animals entangled in fishing gear experience some of the most prolonged suffering documented in marine wildlife welfare. A whale dragging fishing lines for months while they cut deeper into its flesh represents suffering on a scale that is difficult to overstate. Sea turtles with propeller injuries or entangled limbs may survive for years in compromised states. Ghost gear continues catching and killing animals long after it is lost, creating a welfare problem with no natural end point. Prevention through gear marking, retrieval programs, and biodegradable design is far more effective than rescue for reducing this welfare burden.

What You Can Do

Support ghost gear removal initiatives and marine cleanup organizations
Advocate for fishing gear marking requirements that enable retrieval and accountability
Donate to marine rescue teams that disentangle and rehabilitate affected animals
Report entangled wildlife to coast guard or wildlife rescue services immediately