Norfolk businesses to stop selling frisbees to save seals

North Norfolk District Council’s ‘Safer Seals - Seal of Approval’ scheme is calling for owners of coastal businesses to remove flying rings or frisbees from their shelves to protect seals, which can be harmed if they get stuck in the rings.

There are around 175,000 seals in British waters according to the Mammal Society – with north Norfolk being home to a large proportion of Britain's common and grey seal population.

Every year thousands of seals are at risk of being harmed by human activity.

READ MORE: Search party launched to rescue wild rheas marauding the streets of Norfolk town

A seal harmed by a frisbee (Image: Newsquest)

The scheme was put forward at NNDC's full council meeting on Wednesday (June 22), with deputy leader, councillor Wendy Fredericks urging local businesses to get on board with the campaign.  

Ms Fredericks, who is portfolio holder for housing and people services, said: “This initiative is to encourage and congratulate those businesses who are concerned and take action to prevent ringed toys impacting on our seals.

“As a council, the award of ‘Seal of Approval’ can be shown in shop windows and on notice boards of holiday parks to continue to raise awareness of how flying rings and ringed toys harm our wildlife. 

“We welcome our holiday makers to our coastal resorts, but they are often unaware of the devastating consequences that leaving behind ringed toys and plastic items have on seals.”

READ MORE: One in 10 North Norfolk properties are holiday homes

NNDC deputy leader Wendy Fredericks (Image: NNDC)

The campaign has partnered with the RSPCA and the Friends of Horsey Seals charity.

Peter Ansell, chairman of the Friends of Horsey Seals, said: “We believe this to be a valiant crusade, and if it only saves one seal from the horrific injuries the rings cause, then it is well worth her efforts.”

Frisbees like these will be taken off shelves (Image: Newsquest)