Frisbee the seal snared by yellow plastic ring

This year will go down as the worst on record for the number of the protected marine mammals being snared by all manner of plastic waste.



Fishing lines, ropes, netting and even a bikini have been entangling seals off the East Anglian coast, leaving at least 10 of the animals swimming around today caught up in litter.



The disastrous effects plastic waste can have on a seal was highlighted by the story of Frisbee, the grey seal who was left with a plastic play ring cutting into her neck like a fallen halo.



Frisbee was released back into the wild off a Norfolk beach earlier this year by the RSPCA after she was treated for deep wounds caused by the plastic biting into her neck.

She remains a lucky survivor as the animal welfare charity today warned of the horrendous levels of marine litter impacting the North Sea coastline. Prior to 2008 there were no reports of seals running into difficulties from discarded rubbish but the numbers have been rising from between two and four animals annually to worrying levels where at least 10 are currently caught up in rubbish.



Earlier this year, the RSPCA had to euthanise a seal pup after its nose was severed by a nylon fishing line.



The natural curiosity of seals only increases the threat.

The horrific wound Frisbee suffered from plastic ring

“Plastic is wreaking havoc in our oceans and is life-threatening for sealife and wildlife," continued Ms Charles. “We are seeing increasing numbers of seals injured by fishing litter and plastic. They are very inquisitive and can get caught in fishing nets, monofilament nylon lines and all sorts of plastic waste and discarded rubbish. "We’ve treated seals with frisbees embedded in their flesh and even seen one with a bikini tangled around its neck. “As the seals grow, litter trapped round a seal’s neck can cut deeper and deeper into the skin and the wound becomes infected and the animal can no longer fish. It’s horrifying.





Rescued and rehabilitated, Frisbee is released back to the seas

While Frisbee was a success story with her rehabilitation by the RSPCA allowing her to be returned to the sea, the litter threat continues. Marine plastic waste has become a global conservation issue since Sir David Attenborough highlighted its far-reaching effects in the Blue Planet 2 last year. At one of the most popular places in Britain to watch seals there are fears the level marine waste is becoming horrendous.



Norfolk’s Horsey Beach is at the heart of an extended colony of grey seals, producing more than 1,600 pups along three-miles of coastline.



The Friends of Horsey Seals was established to protect the breeding rookery from public disturbance, working with the local community and increasing knowledge and appreciation of the animals.



Now it witnesses another worrying human impact on the animals from plastic waste, a threat exacerbated this time of year when females about to give birth are caught up. Rescue attempts risk disturbances to the rookery and threat of the animals suffering miscarriages.

Seal left with litter "necklace"