The Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Team is facing increased challenges on Block Island, Rhode Island, as they respond to a rise in seal entanglements. Program manager Sarah Callan reported that 20 gray seals had been entangled this year, a significant increase compared to typical annual figures. These seals often become ensnared by fishing gear, garbage, or balloons, which can tighten around their necks as they grow, leading to severe injury or death.
In collaboration with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society and Block Island Maritime Institute, Mystic’s team is actively working to disentangle seals, particularly pups born recently. During a rescue mission, the team quietly approached a group of seal pups sunbathing, and with remarkable speed, they separated an entangled pup and successfully extricated it from a fishing net. After drawing blood and attaching a tracker, they released the seal back into the ocean, which Callan emphasized is crucial for minimizing stress and avoiding rehabilitation.
This heightened focus on seal rescues comes in the wake of earlier incidents, including a seal named “Chappy,” who tragically succumbed to gastrointestinal issues after being stranded in New Haven, Connecticut. Findings in his stomach pointed to plastic pollution, underscoring the ongoing threats posed by marine debris. Callan noted the alarming frequency of young marine animals interacting with human-made litter, relating it to the overall health of ocean ecosystems. Despite the challenges, the Mystic team remains committed to rescuing marine wildlife and raising awareness about environmental threats, celebrating moments when they can give an animal a second chance at life.
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