Sources of Entanglement

“Every year many pinnipeds (seals and sea lions) UNNECESSARILY SUFFER or DIE from becoming entangled in marine debris.”

Sources of Entanglements

Seals and sea lions are very curious, and will often play with items floating in the water. Unfortunately, these synthetic (often plastic) materials can become stuck around their necks or bodies. Unlike us, they do not have hands to remove an item, so once around their neck, synthetic material is often there to stay. As they grow, if the synthetic material does not break, it can slowly strangle the animal, leading to severe injury and death. This is a preventable problem! We need to reduce our use of single-use plastics, and discard all plastics properly to ensure they do not end up in the ocean. We also need to find biodegradable alternatives to synthetic materials that persist for many years in the environment

Packing Bands

Rubber Bands

Ropes & Netting

Garbage

Responsibly stowing or disposing of these materials prevents harm and death.

cutting a packing band

Cut

cut the loop

Dispose

Throw away cut material

Life

Prevents harm and death