Abstract

Entanglement of marine mammals and seabirds in fishing gear poses a significant threat to their populationsworldwide. Citizen science initiatives have emerged as valuable tools for monitoring and understanding the extent of this problem. This study reports findings from citizen science surveys conducted around California’s coast, focusing on incidents of entanglement observed in marine mammals and seabirds. Data collected from these surveys provide insights into the prevalence, species affected, and spatial distribution of entanglement events, contributing to conservation efforts and informing management strategies for mitigating the impacts of fishing gear on marine wildlife.