Hundreds of Cape Fur Seals Entangled in Fishing Lines and Nets Every Year
Published:22 Aug.2021 Source:Stellenbosch University
Fishing line and nets are having a major impact on Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus), the most common marine mammal observed around the coastline of South Africa and Namibia, where they are endemic.
While their population numbers are considered healthy, plastic pollution, and particularly fishing line and nets, are causing horrific injuries and can result in a slow, painful death. These are the first results from an ongoing project, initiated in 2018, to investigate the impact of pollution on Cape fur seals in Namibia. The project involves researchers and conservationists from Stellenbosch University, Sea Search-Namibian Dolphin Project and Ocean Conservation Namibia.