Prevalence and composition of fishing gear debris in the nests of northern gannets (Morus bassanus) are related to fishing effort

► Seabirds incorporate marine debris into their nests. ► Much of this debris originates in fishing operation. ► Gannet nests with debris decreased between before (1989) and after (2007) a major fishery closure (1992). ► Fisheries debris was exponentially related to fishing effort around gannet colonies.