On Sunday, January 2, a Capetonian woman named Leigh de Necker saved a seal from five nylon loops that were wrapped around its body. According to Leigh stated the seal would not sit still and after stalking him for over an hour, she managed to remove them all.
“It took a few attempts, and one cord was particularly tight. Luckily, he couldn’t see me, so every time I tugged at one of his ‘necklaces,’ he would attack an innocent seal cuddling nearby, thinking they were messing with him”, De Necker said.
Despite her sinuses, a possible lung full of seawater and a sore neck from two seal pups falling on her head, Leigh expresses how happy she is that the seal is swimming noose-free.
Leigh explained that the nylon cords and braids were landing up around the neck of seal’s more and more and are used on commercial Tuna fishing vessels and is often discarded with no disregard.
“I don’t think I need to preach on the issues of plastic pollution again, so this post is asking you to be mindful of where your seafood is coming from”, Leigh added.
“What are you eating? What is the conservation status of that species? Is it being sustainably caught? What are the direct and indirect implications for the non-target and bycatch species? Download the SASSI (Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative) app or visit https://wwfsassi.co.za to help you make more informed choices”, Leigh concluded.
Also read:
WATCH: Whale carcass found at Clifton towed and extracted at Oceana Power Boat Club
Picture: Facebook / Leigh de Necker