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

Rebecca Allen, Dan Jarvis, Sue Sayer, Cheryl Mills

Cornwall College Newquay, Trenance Gardens, Newquay, Cornwall TR7 2LZ, UK. rebecca.allen@cornwall.ac.uk

Marine pollution bulletin 2012 Dec

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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. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Rebecca Allen, Dan Jarvis, Sue Sayer, Cheryl Mills. Entanglement of grey seals Halichoerus grypus at a haul out site in Cornwall, UK. Marine pollution bulletin. 2012 Dec;64(12):2815-9