Seal Found Dead Entangled in Debris from Shipping Container at Pevensey Bay

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service has been contacted by The Argus Newspaper who have reported the deeply sad discovery of a dead seal apparently washed up on the shoreline at Pevensey Bay today. The animal was apparently found entangled in netting from an onion sack, believed to have originated from one of the shipping containers recently lost overboard during stormy weather.

This tragic incident highlights the very real and ongoing threat that marine debris poses to wildlife. While this seal was sadly beyond help, we are extremely concerned about how many other animals—both at sea and along the coastline—may be suffering unseen due to similar entanglements or ingestion of debris.

It is alarming that, in this day and age, large numbers of shipping containers can still be lost from vessels, with devastating consequences for marine life and coastal ecosystems. Items such as netting and packaging materials can travel long distances and remain hazardous for months or even years.

We would like to commend the efforts of local authorities, coastal teams, and community volunteers who are working tirelessly to clear debris from beaches across the area. Our own volunteers remain on standby and ready to respond to any live casualties that may be found in need of urgent assistance.

We urge members of the public to report any injured or entangled wildlife immediately and to avoid attempting rescues themselves, as this can be dangerous both for people and animals. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden impacts of marine pollution and the urgent need for greater accountability and preventative measures to protect our seas and the wildlife that depend on them.

Photos courtesy of Brigitte Crunden.