Impact on Wildlife Shoreline litter and aquatic debris primarily
threatens wildlife through entanglement and ingestion.
Additionally, many of the species that are most vulnerable to
these risks also happen to be endangered or threatened,
including sea turtles, fish, marine mammals, and birds.
Entanglement is most often caused by items such as plastic
strapping bands, rope, wire, fishing lines, six pack rings and
other similar items. Meanwhile, abandoned fishing gear such as
lines, nets, traps and pots pose another threat in the form of
ghost fishing. This is a phenomenon where these items continue
to catch fish and trap marine mammals, turtles, and seabirds
long after they’ve been discarded. Entanglement can happen
accidentally, or because the animal is attracted to the items
out of curiosity, hunger, or some other natural behaviour. Some
wildlife, especially birds, even use pieces of litter to build
their nests and shelters, which can then entangle their young.
Entanglement often impairs an animal’s ability