Playful Seals Get Caught in Fishing Lines

Topic: Water Pollution

Friday, 15 May 2026, 8:00 am

In short:

The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia says it has seen an increase in the number of fur seals getting entangled in recreational fishing gear.

ORRCA says the curious creatures are often looking for an easy meal at the end of the fishing line.

What's next?

Recreational fishers are being asked not to feed seals scraps, dispose of tackle responsibly and consider using biodegradable gear.

More hungry fur seals are getting trapped in fishing gear along the New South Wales coast, according to a marine wildlife rescue organisation.

The Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia recorded more than 30 call-outs across NSW last year involving fur seals trapped or constrained in fishing line or rope.

That represented an increase of 7 per cent on the previous year.

ORRCA spokesperson Pip Jacobs said the fur seals were becoming entangled while trying to steal fishing bait, thinking it was an easy meal.

"We are seeing this as a learned behaviour, where seals are attempting to take the bait from recreational fishers in order to have a feed," she said.

"Anecdotally, this year, we're seeing a greater increase in seal entanglements."

Volunteers found a seal immobilised by an entanglement on rocks at Tathra Wharf.

Last month, a fur seal was found wedged in a rocky outcrop at Tathra Wharf on the far south coast.

It had a fishing hook in its mouth and was wrapped in a long fishing line.

"That seal was completely immobilised," Ms Jacobs said.

The fur seal found trapped on the rocks.

Volunteers were able to cut the pinniped free, but the fishing hook was unable to be removed.

"We do anticipate that fishing hook will rust out over time, but it may take a process of one to six months for that to do so," Ms Jacobs said.

The fur seal was cut free, but the hook remained in its mouth.

Curious creatures at risk

The entanglement data follows a study published last month ranking marine mammals on their vulnerability to extinction from macroplastic pollution.

It found seals were more at risk than previously thought.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has estimated that 30 million metric tonnes of plastic have accumulated in the ocean.

The study found that three of the five most vulnerable species globally were pinnipeds, with the Australian sea lion ranked third.

Dr Erin Murphy, who led the study for Ocean Conservancy, said the vulnerability of seals and sea lion populations was likely due to their inquisitive nature combined with the presence of single-use plastic and fishing-related plastics.

The inquisitive nature of pinnipeds is part of why they are more vulnerable to macroplastic pollution, according to a new study.

"For seals and sea lions, we know they are curious animals and fish-eating, and these innate behavioural traits are the reason they interact with plastic a lot," she said.

"We see a lot of juvenile males interacting with fishing gear because they are playful, and that is an important biological trait for them.

"And by eating fish you are more likely to come across derelict fishing gear, and so some of these traits that are an important part of their life cycle inherently increase their risks of plastic interactions."

Seal pups are most at risk of entanglement because they are naturally curious and see plastic as something to play with.

Don't feed the seals

ORRCA recommends that anyone who sees an entangled seal or sea lion should contact their 24-hour rescue hotline.

"Please never attempt to disentangle the animal yourself," Ms Jacobs said.

"Disentanglements can be very dangerous for both people and animals."

People are encouraged not to try and disentangle marine life from fishing lines or ropes by themselves.

Recreational fishers are also encouraged to dispose of their tackle responsibly, and consider using biodegradable gear.

Ms Jacobs said it was important to not fish where seals were present, and to not feed them scraps.

"We want to encourage them to be feeding as naturally as possible," she said.

ABC South East NSW — local news in your inbox

Friday, 15 May 2026, 8:00 am

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