Page 19 - World of Animals - Issue #41

Seals: masters of the oceans

Safeguarding a future for seals The Hawaiian monk seal is
one of the most endangered
Andy Ottoway is the director of the Seal Protection Action Group, a UK species, with just 1,200

charity working to protect seals and their environment worldwide individuals le in the wild
What are the biggest threats to seal What steps are being taken to protect the
species worldwide? species in danger?
Around the world, hundreds of thousands Sadly not enough! While an EU ban on the
of seals are culled every year. They are import of seal products from commercial
blamed for a collapse in commercial hunts has greatly reduced commercial

fisheries that has really been caused by killing, it does not go far enough.
human overfishing. Here in the UK, even though seals

Seals are also threatened by are protected from deliberate killing or
commercial hunting for their meat, fur disturbance, they are still killed in large
and other body parts. Many are shot numbers to protect fish stocks, fisheries

or trapped by fish-farmers and sports or equipment. Some governments
angling interests, while huge numbers are creating Marine Protected Areas
drown in fishing gear. that may include some important seal

As top predators and mammals, high habitats, but much more is needed.
levels of toxic industrial pollutants
concentrate in their bodies through Is there anything World of Animals
the food chain, which attack their readers can do to help?
reproductive and immune systems. They can help by supporting
A major threat to seals also comes organisations like the Seal Protection
from climate change and global warming. Action Group. And recycle all the plastic
Increasing sea temperatures are you can, as it o‡en ends up in the ocean

changing ocean currents and with it the where it can kill wildlife. Also, watch
availability of the seal’s prey species. seals from a safe distance, and avoid any
Global warming is also reducing sea-ice, seafood products that aren’t certified as

which is destroying breeding sites. sustainable and non-harmful to wildlife.
“Here in the UK, even though seals
are protected, they are still killed”

SEALS IN DANGER!

Seals are in serious decline in the UK and
around the world hundreds of thousands of

seals are under threat from cruel mass culling,
toxic pollution, entanglement or drowning in

fishing nets, over-fishing and climate change.
You can help us protect them!

Be one of our Seal Savers for just £20 per year, or £3 a
month by Standing Order. You will receive a special Seal

Saver’s certificate, enamel badge and campaign updates.
Please click donate at:
Seal Protection
www.sealaction.org

Alternatively make a cheque payable to the Seal Protection Action Group
and send it to: PO Box 179, Newhaven, East Sussex BN9 1BJ

Action Group
Reg. Charity No. SCO17447 | Email: enquiries@sealaction.org | Tel: 01273 515416

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