The Pinniped Entanglement Group: Standardizing global data for effective solutions to pinniped entanglement

Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a global threat to pinnipeds. Successful mitigation requires standardized methods and cooperation. The international Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG), formed in 2009, is dedicated to this effort, through entanglement prevention, response, and education. Here, we report that at least 76% of pinniped species are affected by entanglement (25 of 33 extant species) with fur seals and sea lions more affected than true seals. Commercial and recreational fishing gear caused more harm than other marine debris. Global maps of entangled pinnipeds indicate that unreported species likely represent data deficiency rather than lack of impact. Entanglement data collection methods affect results, and while standardization is difficult to achieve, transparent and detailed methods will aid robust comparisons to target mitigation. We demonstrate the scale of entanglement threat and provide a contemporary review of the literature, PEG member data and mitigation including outreach and working with industry.

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Publication Details

Journal
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Published
2026-04-30
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119801
Primary Topic
Marine animal studies overview
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

The Pinniped Entanglement Group: Standardizing global data for effective solutions to pinniped entanglement

Machteld I M Geut, Kelly Waples, Carolin Philipp, D. Cruz et al.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
Marine animal studies overview
article

The Pinniped Entanglement Group: Standardizing global data for effective solutions to pinniped entanglement

Machteld I M Geut, Kelly Waples, Carolin Philipp, D. Cruz, Kathryn Rose, Holly C. Raudino, Bianca Unger, Sue Sayer, Elizabeth Hogan, Diego Páez Rosas, Ana Rubio-Garcia, Dave Zahniser, Shawn Johnson, Mark Keenan, Dan Jarvis, Carlos Yaipen-Llanos, Laura Boren, J Scott Leonard, Rebecca Ruth McIntosh, Kimberly Raum-Suryan
article en

Abstract

Entanglement in fishing gear and marine debris is a global threat to pinnipeds. Successful mitigation requires standardized methods and cooperation. The international Pinniped Entanglement Group (PEG), formed in 2009, is dedicated to this effort, through entanglement prevention, response, and education. Here, we report that at least 76% of pinniped species are affected by entanglement (25 of 33 extant species) with fur seals and sea lions more affected than true seals. Commercial and recreational fishing gear caused more harm than other marine debris. Global maps of entangled pinnipeds indicate that unreported species likely represent data deficiency rather than lack of impact. Entanglement data collection methods affect results, and while standardization is difficult to achieve, transparent and detailed methods will aid robust comparisons to target mitigation. We demonstrate the scale of entanglement threat and provide a contemporary review of the literature, PEG member data and mitigation including outreach and working with industry.

Marine Pollution BulletinVol. 230
Charles Darwin Foundation (EC), East Sussex County Council (GB), Animal Welfare Institute (US), International Fund for Animal Welfare (US), University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (DE), Parks Victoria (AU), Nantucket Cottage Hospital (US), Department of Environment and Conservation (CA), Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur (MX), Integrated Systems Incorporation (United States) (US), NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service Alaska Fisheries Science Center (US), Ocean Era (United States) (US), Zoos Victoria (AU), National Geographic Society (US), Department of Conservation (NZ), Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (AU), Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (GB), Hersenstichting (NL), Galapagos (Belgium) (BE)
Openalex Percentile: Top 9%
Marine animal studies overview
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