Importance Score: 62 / 100 🔴
BLOCK ISLAND, R.I. — The rescue team from Mystic Aquarium is currently experiencing an unprecedented surge in activity.
A seal ensnared in debris.
Binoculars in hand, Sarah Callan, the program director surveyed the coastline of Block Island, Rhode Island, for an escalating issue – seals ensnared in debris.
Marine Mammals Facing Peril
When fishing equipment, waste, or a discarded balloon becomes entangled around a gray seal’s neck, it tightens as the marine animal matures, potentially causing severe injury or fatality. An adult gray seal can weigh over 800 pounds.
Rescuing Ensnared Seals
The Connecticut-based nonprofit has received reports of more than 20 seals trapped in debris this year. This figure surpasses the typical annual count documented by Mystic Aquarium.
Callan labeled this increase “worrisome.”
Documented Mission
NBC News was granted exclusive access to accompany Mystic Aquarium, working alongside the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and the Block Island Maritime Institute, as they embarked on a mission to free newborn seals from entanglements.
The Mystic Aquarium Rescue Team preservesthe health of marine mammals and the ocean environment.
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Rescue operations often involve releasing tangled seals, usually newborns and juveniles, back into their natural habitat without delay.
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The team aims to swiftly release seals after cutting them free from entanglements and conducting minimum necessary examinations, thereby avoiding extended rehabilitation periods.
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Innovative Methods for Marine Conservation
Sarah Callan and her colleagues approached a gathering of seal pups basking on the shoreline. They advanced cautiously on hands and knees to avoid disturbing the group before swiftly intervening with brightly colored barriers to separate the ensnared pup. The team then used a net to safely lift the pup in a display of agility and precision.
A sample of blood was taken and a tracker affixed to the pup for research purposes. The team then carefully cut him free from the constricting fishing net around his neck.
Callan stated, “We aim to release the seal promptly today, minimizing the need for extended rehabilitation at our clinic. Swift action in disentangling these seals significantly improves their chances of survival.”
A Notable Rescue Case
This same crew successfully rescued a seal pup, stranded in downtown New Haven in February. The public affectionately named it “Chappy,” captivated by his expressive eyes and gentle demeanor. Unfortunately, Chappy succumbed to severe gastrointestinal complications. Upon examining the animal, pieces of plastic were discovered in its stomach, underscoring the grave threat that marine litter poses to marine life, notably from plastic pollution.
Experts estimate that over 100,000 marine animals succumb to plastic pollution annually.
A Call to Action: Combating Plastic Pollution
Callan remarked, “The alarming number of marine mammals interacting with human-made waste within just a few months of their birth highlights the dire state of our oceans. … It is our responsibility to raise awareness and educate the public on the threats they face.”
Mystic Aquarium remains steadfast in its commitment to this ongoing battle.
A sense of triumph permeated the team as the seal freed from entangling nets undulated back into the ocean.
“We have the privilege of granting an animal a second chance at life, one they might not have received without our intervention,” Callan expressed. “Witnessing such moments is truly extraordinary.”