Marine Wildlife

Marine Wildlife: Seal Entanglement in Fishing Gear

Grey and common seals around UK and European coasts face significant welfare harm from entanglement in active and lost fishing gear.

Key Facts

Entanglement in creel ropes, nets, and monofilament is recorded in UK seal rehabilitation centres
Neck entanglements from loop materials are particularly serious as seals cannot grow out of them
Ghost gear - lost or abandoned fishing equipment - continues to entangle marine mammals
Rehabilitation of entangled seals requires specialist facilities and can take months
Some seals cannot be treated and are humanely euthanised due to injury severity

Welfare Considerations

Entanglement causes progressive welfare harm from skin laceration and strangulation as seals grow, leading to severe pain, infection, and death if untreated. Prevention through gear modification, retrieval programmes for lost gear, and biodegradable materials is far preferable to the welfare harm caused by entanglement.

What You Can Do

Report entangled seals to BDMLR or local rescue organisations immediately
Support campaigns to reduce ghost gear and lost fishing equipment
Choose seafood from fisheries with low bycatch and entanglement rates
Participate in beach cleans to remove discarded fishing gear
Donate to marine mammal rescue organisations operating in your area