Entanglement of grey seals Halichoerus grypus at a haul out site in Cornwall, UK

► Entanglement of grey seals Halichoerus grypus at a site in the southwest UK was investigated. ► Entanglement rates varied between 3.6% and 5% annually. ► 64% of entangled photo identified seals had injuries that were deemed serious. ► The majority of identified entangling material (14 of 15 cases)...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2012-12, Vol.64 (12), p.2815-2819
Main Authors: Allen, Rebecca, Jarvis, Dan, Sayer, Sue, Mills, Cheryl
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Debris
England
Entanglement
fisheries
Fisheries - instrumentation
Fisheries - statistics & numerical data
Grey
Halichoerus
Halichoerus grypus
Marine
mortality
Net
Seal
seals
Seals, Earless
Waste Products - analysis
Waste Products - statistics & numerical data
Water Pollutants - analysis
water pollution
Water Pollution - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:► Entanglement of grey seals Halichoerus grypus at a site in the southwest UK was investigated. ► Entanglement rates varied between 3.6% and 5% annually. ► 64% of entangled photo identified seals had injuries that were deemed serious. ► The majority of identified entangling material (14 of 15 cases) was fisheries related. ► Maximum recapture period for photo identified entangled seals was significantly less (p=0.045). Entanglement in marine debris has been internationally recognised as a potential threat to marine species. Sightings records and a photo identification catalogue from a haul out site in southwest England were used to establish entanglement records for grey seals Halichoerus grypus. Between 2004 and 2008 the annual mean entanglement rates varied from 3.6% to 5%. The maximum recapture period for entangled seals compared to paired control seals was significantly less (p=0.045) suggesting an increased mortality rate for affected seals. Of the 58 entangled cases in the catalogue, 64% had injuries that were deemed serious. Of the 15 cases where the entangling debris was visible, 14 were entangled in fisheries materials. The entanglement reported at this site could indicate a high rate of mortality and should be monitored carefully. On a more immediate level, entanglement represents a welfare issue for the affected animals.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.09.005