Entanglement of Cape fur seals with man-made objects

The number of Cape fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus entangled with man-made objects was recorded during harvests of immature seals from 1972 to 1974 in one colony and from 1977 to 1979 in several colonies. Most of the objects were around the seals' necks. The percentage of harvested seals that were entangled was 0.12 in 1977 and 1979, and 0.11 in 1978. The highest incidence among harvested seals was recorded at the Cape Cross colony, viz., 0.56–0.66% from 1977 to 1979. These rates of entanglement at Cape Cross are possibly higher than those recorded at harvests of northern fur seals on the Pribilof Islands. Cape fur seals were entangled in string, monofilament line, fishing net, rope, plastic straps, rubber O-rings and wire.