The UK hosts around 40% of the world's grey seal population. These iconic marine mammals face entanglement, pollution, boat disturbance, and calls for culling from some fishing interests.
Entanglement in lost fishing gear (ghost gear) causes drowning or, in pups, developmental deformities as they grow into constricting netting. Gunshot wounds from legal and illegal deterrence cause significant suffering. Disturbance of pup colonies during the critical nursing period causes mothers to abandon pups. Toxicant pollution with organochlorines impairs immune function. Seals shot legally may not die immediately, causing prolonged suffering.