Entanglement of pinnipeds in synthetic materials at South-east Farallon Island, California, 1976-1998

Entanglement records of hauled out pinnipeds are useful for monitoring tren ds in impacts of synthetic materials, a principal contaminant, upon pinnipe d populations. This report documents entanglement of five species (Californ ia Sea Lions, Northern Elephant Seals, Steller Sea Lions, Pacific Harbor Se als, and Northern Fur Seals) at Southeast Farallon Island (SEFI), an island in Northern California, 1976-1998, when a total of 914 pinnipeds were obse rved entangled in or with body constrictions from synthetic material. There was a significant decrease in entangled Northern Elephant Seals over the s tudy period. Of the 27 Steller Sea Lions observed entangled, 37% were adult Steller Sea Lions entangled in salmon fishing gear. This report highlights an ongoing problem of entanglement of pinnipeds in synthetic materials in Northern California. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.