Wildlife Welfare

Marine Plastic Pollution and Sea Animal Welfare

Plastic pollution in the ocean injures and kills millions of marine animals each year through entanglement, ingestion, and chemical contamination, representing a massive ongoing welfare crisis.

Key Facts

Over 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean annually
Seabirds, sea turtles, whales, seals, and fish are all affected
Entanglement causes drowning, starvation, and severe lacerations
Microplastics have been found in the digestive systems of virtually all marine species studied
Ghost fishing gear continues to catch and kill animals for years after abandonment

Welfare Considerations

Marine plastic causes prolonged, severe suffering. Entangled animals may struggle for weeks or months before dying. Animals that ingest plastic experience malnutrition and intestinal blockages. The scale of this suffering is staggering and largely invisible. Effective responses require both individual behavior change and systemic policy to reduce plastic production and improve waste management.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption and choose reusable alternatives
Participate in beach and waterway cleanups
Support extended producer responsibility legislation for plastic packaging
Donate to organizations that remove ghost gear from active fishing areas