Help Protect Wildlife Entangled in Dangerous Fishing Gear
We’ve been witnessing an alarming rise in wildlife entangled in fishing gear along our coast.
From seabirds missing feet or entangled in fishing line, to birds with hooks embedded in their bills or line wrapped tightly around their wings, to countless sea lions suffering from deep, infected neck wounds—these are not isolated incidents. This is a growing, silent crisis.
We recently observed a precious sea lion with a severe neck wound from entanglement—just one heartbreaking example of how discarded fishing gear is devastating our coastal wildlife.
If you see a sea lion, seal, pelican, gull, or any coastal species entangled in fishing line, hooks, nets, or debris in San Diego, Orange County, or Los Angeles, please use this form to report it immediately.
Your observations can help us get animals the help they need—and stop this crisis at its source.
📍 Include location, time, species, condition, behavior, and photos or video if possible.
📞 For emergencies, please contact the authorities and licensed wildlife rehabilitation rescue centers listed in the form below.
Let’s be their voice—and take action before it’s too late.
Some of the Many Entangled Wildlife We’ve Spotted Over the Last 6 Months During Our EYES Monitoring
This video highlights just a few of the heartbreaking cases of wildlife entangled in fishing gear that we've observed and reported for rescue over the past six months.
From sea lions with deep neck wounds caused by fishing lines, to gulls with swallowed hooks or broken legs flying with monofilament wrapped tightly around their feet, to cormorants wrapped in fishing line and stranded in unreachable locations—these are just a few tragic examples of the silent suffering happening along our coastlines.
Unfortunately, many of these animals are located in areas inaccessible for rescuers to reach. In such cases, the animals may suffer for days, weeks, or even months before dying from infection, starvation, or strangulation.
Entanglement in fishing gear is one of the leading causes of injury and death for marine wildlife.
According to NOAA Fisheries, animals entangled in fishing gear often suffer severe consequences, such as drowning, starvation, serious trauma, and infections that can cause prolonged pain and distress unless they are rescued.
Your reports matter. By sharing what you see, you help document the extent of this issue and contribute to long-term solutions for protecting our precious coastal wildlife.
Wildlife Jewels EYES:
Fishing Gear Entanglement Wildlife Report
SUBMIT YOUR SIGHTING BY COMPLETING THE FORM BELOW
Get Involved
Join the EYES Collective to help save coastal wildlife. Whether you’re a Volunteer Monitor or Community Reporter, your involvement can make a life-saving difference.
