Entanglement of birds in plastics and other synthetic materials

Mar Pollut Bull. 2018 Oct:135:159-164. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.06.057. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Abstract

Entanglement of animals is one of the main environmental impacts of waste plastic. A 2015 review of entanglement records found that the proportion of affected seabirds increased from 16% of species to 25% over the last two decades. However, this was restricted to published records; Google Images and other web-based sources indicate that at least 147 seabird species (36%), as well as 69 freshwater birds (10%) and 49 landbirds (0.5%) from 53 families have been entangled in plastic or other synthetic materials. Fishing gear is responsible for entangling most species (83%), although it is often difficult to differentiate entanglement from bycatch on active gear. Mitigation measures include banning high-risk applications where there are alternatives (e.g. six-pack rings), discouraging the use of high-risk items (e.g. balloons on strings, 'manja' kites), and encouraging fishers to not discard waste fishing gear by providing specific receptacles and associated educational signage in fishing areas.

Keywords: Bycatch; Fishing line; Google; Kite strings; Mitigation; Netting.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Birds*
  • Fisheries
  • Internet
  • Plastics*
  • Waste Products*

Substances

  • Plastics
  • Waste Products