Volunteers find dead seal inside old rain jacket that washed up on beach

Volunteers made an upsetting discovery inside an old rain jacket that washed ashore in Namibia, sparking an important online conversation. 

What happened?

A Facebook post by Ocean Conservation Namibia (@OCNamibia) showed the devastating effect trash in the ocean can have on marine wildlife. Volunteers found a seal dead inside the jacket. 

"This rescue never happened," the video's caption read. "A strong, healthy seal washed ashore dead, suffocated or drowned after getting stuck inside a discarded rain jacket. It's a brutal and sobering reminder of what's really happening out here." 

It further stated that while many of their videos show dramatic rescues, for every life they save, there are countless that they can't. 

"Yeah, he had no freaking chance," one of the volunteers says as they approach the seal and start to cut off the jacket. Holding it up, they say it's not a local brand, so it likely belonged to a tourist who lost it without thinking of the consequences of it becoming trash. 

"Shame, man," they say before the video ends. 

"So sad," one viewer commented. "Humans need to clean up after themselves." 

"I'm glad you are filming this and putting it out there," added another. 

Why is it concerning?

While the jacket's owner likely just forgot it, the video shows that carelessness can have devastating consequences and highlights a broader global issue. 

Plastic and other marine debris pollution is becoming a growing environmental threat and a major cause of death among marine wildlife. Clothing in the ocean, sometimes items left on the beach, is surprisingly common: 35% of microplastics found in the ocean come from synthetic fabrics used in fast fashion, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. 

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Ocean animals also get caught in discarded fishing gear and ingest plastic waste they mistake for food. Plastic pollution in the ocean also poses a risk to human health, as it often contaminates the seafood we eat. 

What can be done about plastic pollution in the ocean?

Groups are working to clean up fishing gear and other plastic pollution. Scientists are also developing methods to potentially dissolve or otherwise remove plastic waste from the oceans. 

Individually, you can opt for plastic-free products and practice leave-no-trace principles when visiting beaches and other wild places, ensuring you don't leave anything behind when you go.

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