"That's an issue that affects an animal over time, as they grow, and as these entanglements constrict them."

We have known for decades that plastic pollution has a detrimental impact on marine life. We know that species like the Australian fur seal are heavily affected. And yet, there are many questions we do not have answers to: How does entanglement affect the growth, behaviour and survival of young seals? Where do these seals forage and disperse in relation to plastic accumulation and fishing hotspots within Bass Strait?

Adam Yaney-Keller is attempting to answer those questions in his PhD with Monash University and Phillip Island Nature Parks. 

The Ecological Society of Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Adam lives and works on the traditional land and sea Country of the Bunurong people.

Help the ESA support ecology in Australia by donating (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/donate/donation-form⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) or by becoming a member (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.ecolsoc.org.au/get-involved/become-a-member⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).

The music in this podcast is ‘Glow’ by Scott Buckley - www.scottbuckley.com.au.

Episode image credit: Philip Island Nature Parks / Adam Yaney-Keller.