Wild Animal Welfare

Wild Seabird Plastic Ingestion Prevention

Plastic ingestion by seabirds causes widespread welfare harm - source reduction and individual rehabilitation address different aspects of this problem.

Key Facts

Over 90% of some seabird species contain plastic debris in their stomachs
Ingested plastic causes internal injuries, false satiety, and reduced chick feeding
Chick mortality from plastic-laden feeds is documented in albatrosses and gannets
Beach clean programmes remove plastic before it enters marine food chains
Microplastic concentrations in seabird tissues are biologically significant

Welfare Considerations

Plastic ingestion causes real welfare harm to individual seabirds through internal injury, reduced nutrition, and chick death. Source reduction through plastic policy reform is essential, while beach cleaning and rehabilitation of affected birds provides direct welfare benefit.

What You Can Do

Participate in beach clean programmes to reduce marine plastic at source
Reduce single-use plastic consumption to reduce ocean plastic inputs
Support organisations advocating for extended producer responsibility for plastic waste