Marine Animal Welfare

Marine Heatwave Wildlife Welfare

How marine heatwaves affect the welfare of marine wildlife including stranding, starvation, and heat stress in seabirds and marine mammals.

Key Facts

Marine heatwaves have increased in frequency and intensity since 1980
Prey displacement during heatwaves causes seabird chick starvation
Marine mammals forage less efficiently during thermal events
Coral bleaching removes habitat and food sources for reef-dependent species
Mass stranding events of starving sea lions and seals are linked to El Nino and heatwaves

Welfare Considerations

Marine heatwaves create widespread wildlife welfare emergencies. The combination of prey displacement, habitat degradation, and physiological heat stress can cause mass starvation events affecting thousands of individual animals. Stranding response networks and wildlife rehabilitation services are overwhelmed during major thermal events, leaving many animals to suffer without intervention.

What You Can Do

Support marine wildlife rescue organisations that respond to heatwave-related strandings
Avoid disturbing marine wildlife during and after heatwave events
Advocate for climate policies that reduce the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves