Wildlife

Fulmar Welfare and North Atlantic Ocean Plastic

Fulmars are long-lived seabirds that breed on UK sea cliffs and are an indicator species for ocean plastic pollution, with nearly all UK birds found to have ingested plastic.

Key Facts

Nearly 100% of UK fulmars contain plastic in their stomachs at post-mortem examination
Long-lived birds that can survive for decades but face chronic plastic ingestion
Breed on sea cliffs around the entire UK coastline
Stomach oil spitting is a famous defence mechanism also used in courtship
Population has increased dramatically through the 20th century by following fishing boats

Welfare Considerations

Fulmar plastic ingestion represents chronic welfare harm to individual birds over their long lives. Plastic fragments cannot be digested and reduce stomach capacity, contributing to malnutrition. The fulmar is the canary for ocean plastic pollution, and reducing plastic entering the sea directly benefits fulmar welfare alongside all marine life.

What You Can Do

Reduce single-use plastic consumption and dispose of all plastic responsibly
Support Marine Conservation Society Great British Beach Clean
Advocate for extended producer responsibility for plastic packaging
Donate to ocean plastic reduction projects
Appreciate fulmars as sentinels of ocean health and share their plastic burden story