Martina Zilian, seal center Pieterburen
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In cooperation with
Omrop Fryslân
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NOS News•today, 09:22
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The number of seals in the Netherlands that have become entangled in waste has quadrupled in 11 years. This is shown by research by scientists from the seal center Aseal and Ecomare.
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From 2010 to 2020, they kept records of seals injured by plastic waste in the sea. Since 2018 there has been a strong increase. For 2018 this was about seven seals per year, in 2019 and 2020 38 and 37 entangled seals were counted respectively.
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When entangled, the waste cuts into body parts, such as the neck or the flaps they swim with. This can cause serious injuries. In 88 percent of the cases, the waste came from fishing.
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Gray seals in particular are victims, vet Anna Salazar-Casals tells Omrop Fryslân. “They are more curious than harbor seals. As a result, they come into contact with fishermen more often and they also get entangled more often.”
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70 percent helped
The study also showed that some 70 percent of seals can be brought to the sanctuary or assisted on site. In 20 percent of the cases it is not possible to get to the animal and in 10 percent of the cases the seal is already dead.
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This weekend a seal will be released that could still be helped. The animal named Tefiti was recently found on Schiermonnikoog with serious injuries. “It was a very deep wound, but luckily it wasn’t inflamed.”
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Martina Zilian, seal center Pieterburen
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The seal center calls on everyone to do their part by cleaning up the beaches. Because not all cases end well with the seal. And prevention is better than cure.
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“But at the same time, this problem is not caused by one or two people,” says Salazar-Casals. “This needs to be tackled at a higher level. Without rules or laws we can’t do much.”
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