Cornwall seal pierced by fishing hooks saved by rescuers

Volunteers said a fishing line was drawn tightly across the seal's body

A young grey seal has been saved from a tangle of fishing hooks and lines on a beach in Cornwall.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said the seal pup was found washed up at Porthgwarra beach, near Land's End.

The pup was tangled up in a set of mackerel "feathers", with about six of the 12 hooks piercing its body, including one in its mouth.

Volunteers cut away the hooks and released the seal back into the sea.

Dan Jarvis, from BDMLR, said entanglements were deadly for seals, especially young pups.

The seal had six hooks embedded in its body

He said: "With a hook in its mouth and another in its flipper, the fishing line was drawn very tightly across its body, that would slow the seal down in the water.

"If a seal pup like this is unable to swim, feed or dive properly, especially in the stormy weather, there is a good chance it will starve to death."

Mr Jarvis said the charity was seeing more entanglement cases each winter.

"Climate change may be a factor in this as the seal pupping season seems to be starting earlier and the mackerel handlining season is going on longer, so these accidental interactions are more likely to occur," he said.

The seal had a small tear to its lip but was released out to sea in "relatively good condition", the charity said.

The charity said the seal was in "relatively good condition"