In the book "Eating Animals" by Jonathan Safran Foer, the author discusses the significant impact of longline fishing on marine wildlife. He reveals that this fishing method inadvertently kills approximately 4.5 million sea animals each year as bycatch, highlighting a serious ecological concern. This statistic sheds light on the broader environmental consequences of fishing practices and raises questions about the sustainability of our seafood consumption.

Foer emphasizes the urgent need to reconsider our eating habits and the fishing methods employed, advocating for more sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems. The alarming number of sea animals affected by longline fishing serves as a reminder of the often unseen costs of modern dietary choices, urging readers to reflect on the real impact of their food consumption on the planet.