http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/ho...mutilated-seals.html

Does anyone have any ideas about what might have caused these deaths of seals ?

I'd be guessing ship props. The one in the pic, looks like he got whacked a few times, not"a single wound", like the story claims.

Grizz

I wouldn't think props would create a wound as even and consistent as that amongst a large number of seals. I think they may be trying to take fish from Norfolk long lines and getting twisted up in the main line. When the lines are pulled the corkscrew effect will tighten and cause those cuts. That would explain why the cuts start at the mouth and finish at or around the thickest part of the body.

Solvi, you had some experience on trawlers. Did you long line too? The ones I worked on were either lighter on the bottom or surface lines for peleagics. We occasionally had issue with turtles but nothing with seals or dolphins.

Rgds,
FB

Kiri, I remember Seals steeling Cod from our lines, or just bit the middle section out of the fish, but we never had them tangle in the line.
But the sharks could get the line wrapped all over them and that killed them, but cuts like on the photos of the seal I newer seen.

The cuts kind of remind me of a documentary on odd seal wounds I saw several years ago. Set on the east coast of Canada, the culprit was IIRC the Greenland shark. A strange looking fish with a unique set of teeth.

Dean

I read in either The Times or Daily Telegraph newspapers during week ending 27 August 2010 that a special type of propeller screw / propulsion unit was believed to be the culprit.

I do not remember clearly, but it was some sort of 'corkscrew' prop which also used / pushed seawater down a hollow tube part of the system.

Until I read that part, I thought maybe the Navy, ours or a.n.other, was involved - boat, midget sub etc. However, if it has thrusters, the acoustic signal would rule out the 'stealth' service.

What I do remember though, and it stuck in my mind, is English Conservation, the RSPCA and the Police are looking for the ship and people responsible!

Hell, the police only show that level of dedication when persuing motorists or pensioners that fight off muggers!