Threats Against Seals

Hundreds of common seals, also known as harbour seals and grey seals are rescued from UK shores each year. Some seal pups become separated from their mothers and injured during storms but others, both pups and adults, have injuries that we humans have caused and that could have been prevented.Depending on the type of seal, killer whales, sharks and polar bears are all predators of the seal but it is human seal hunters who have been the most dangerous predator in history. With the banning of the commercial seal trade you would hope that humans were no longer a danger to seals but sadly that's not the case... Though hunting and poaching is not a wide-spread problem any more, particularly to seals in the UK, human activity is still a major threat to seals. Low Fish Numbers:Seals around the world eat a wide variety of fish including herring, cod, whiting, flatfish, sand eels as well as shrimps and squid with seals in the UK eating large quantities of cod and sand eels. Whilst low fish numbers may be due to changes in the water quality or toxins and diseases it is most likely to be due to over-fishing. Sand eels are caught for use in fish meal that is used primarily in diets of domestic animals whilst cod is commercially caught for human consumption.Toxins and Pollution:Waste oil, chemicals, and other liquid pollutants released into the water whether accidentally or or purpose can contaminate the oceans and be toxic to seals and other marine wildlife whether the seals themselves inhale the toxins or it is introduced to them through the food chain. Oil spills are the most damaging to seals as the oil sticks to the seals fur and when they try to remove it the oil gets into their stomachs and accumulates in their bodies eventually killing them. Litter:Plastics are the major threat that seals must deal with as it's non-biodegradable. Humans release plastic rubbish into the oceans daily whether a plastic bag is accidentally left at the beach which then gets swept into the sea or rubbish is dumped out into the ocean. Seals are inquisitive and become entangled in plastic debris, whether rope, fishing net or plastic packaging, getting it wrapped around their necks which can strangle them and/or cause them to starve. Entanglement is not a quick death it is slow and painful – and it could be prevented. Seals will often eat plastics too, thinking it is food and the increase in seals having swallowed fishing hooks is a growing concern.Thanks to Seal Sanctuaries around the UK including the Cornish Seal Sanctuary and the Oban Seal Sanctuary many injured seals, particularly pups, are able to be rescued, rehabilitated and then released back into the wild. Along with rescuing seals the sanctuaries are also able to educate kids and adults about the dangers that seals face – While as an individual there's not much that you can do about pollution from industries and overfishing you can help to keep our beaches clean and prevent a seal from being strangled to death.