Call for Ban on Ring Frisbees to Protect Lincolnshire’s Seals

Wildlife advocates in Lincolnshire are urging for a ban on ring frisbees along the county’s coastlines due to potential risks they pose to seals. Concerns have been raised by The Mablethorpe Seal Sanctuary about these plastic rings, as they can prove lethal if seals become entangled in them as they grow. The Sanctuary’s co-owner and director, Chloe Drew, emphasised the frisbees’ non-biodegradable properties, indicating that they “do not decompose, leading to tighter entanglement around the neck.”

Martin Foster, the East Lindsey District Councillor, stated that although specific item bans cannot be enforced, those who litter could face penalties. Foster warned, “Anyone littering our beaches, or indeed anywhere else in the district, may be liable to a fine of £250.”

Drew requested people to choose traditional frisbees without holes to reduce risks. The sanctuary has recorded only two seal injuries associated with frisbees over the past 20 years, attributing this low number to active litter-picking measures by residents like Leanne Havell from Sutton on Sea. The UK Seal Alliance is advocating for voluntary bans, hoping that increased awareness will persuade more shops to cease selling these hazardous flying rings.

This story was compiled by The Lincoln Post using original reporting from www.bbc.com.