Prevalence of entanglements of seabirds in marine debris in the central Portuguese coast

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 161; no. Pt A; p. 111746
• Main Authors: Costa, R.A., Sá, S., Pereira, A.T., Ângelo, A.R., Vaqueiro, J., Ferreira, M., Eira, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2020; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Animals; Aquatic birds; Birds; Debris; Entanglement; Fisheries; Fishing; Fishing activities; Juveniles; Legislation; Marine animals; Marine debris; Marine fauna; Marine fisheries; Marine organisms; Mitigation; Plastic pollution; Plastics; Portugal; Portuguese coast; Prevalence; Rehabilitation; Seabirds; Stranding; Waste Products - analysis; Year class; Portugal; Seabirds; Entanglement; Fishing activities; Portuguese coast; Marine debris
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111746

Plastic pollution and the subsequent entanglement of marine animals is a global and increasing problem. In this study we present an analysis of the seabirds recorded as entangled by a rehabilitation centre and an associated marine animal stranding network, along the central coast of Portugal, between 2008 and 2018. Results show a high annual rate of entangled seabirds (average 6.9%) compared to other studies and fisheries related materials are a relevant cause of seabird entanglement (82%) compared to other debris. When comparing age classes, juveniles were more vulnerable to entanglement than other age classes in the species studied. Regarding the rehabilitation of entangled seabirds, the release rate was higher in non-fishing material entanglement cases. In conclusion, this study highlights the impact of fisheries related material on marine fauna and the need for reinforcement of the existing legislation for protecting seabirds and the implementation of mitigation measures associated with fishing activities. •Fisheries related materials are a relevant cause of seabird entanglement.•Juveniles were more vulnerable than other age classes in the studied species.•Less than 50% of the alive entangled birds could be rehabilitated.•Entanglement cases with non-fishing material had higher rehabilitation success.