Gannets are spectacular seabirds that dive from great heights to catch fish, but they face significant welfare threats from marine plastic entanglement at nest sites and from declining prey availability.
Nest entanglement causes particularly severe welfare suffering because the victim cannot escape — chicks tethered by rope to the nest and adults repeatedly returning to an entangling nest site experience slow, progressive constriction injuries. Limb entanglement cuts off circulation, causing gangrenous necrosis of the affected tissue before death. RSPB project teams have rescued hundreds of gannets from entanglement, and each rescue involves significant handling stress alongside the existing entanglement injury. Prevention through reduction of plastic and synthetic rope in the marine environment, and active nest monitoring during breeding seasons, are the most effective welfare interventions for this specific and severe threat.