A dead seal was found on the beach near Pevensey Bay yesterday, wrapped in what appeared to be an onion sack.

Numerous items have been washing ashore along the Sussex coastline in recent weeks, after tens of shipping containers fell off cargo ships in rough seas.

This has included thousands of bags of frozen chips and sacks of onions appearing on beaches near Eastbourne in recent days.

The seal’s body was spotted by Brigitte Crunden whilst walking her dog. She described it as “a very said thing to see”.

Brigitte Crunden saw the seal whilst walking her dog (Image: Brigitte Crunden)

Now, animal rescue organisations have responded to the “tragic incident”.

Trevor Weeks, founding director of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service, said: “The Argus made us aware of a seal at Pevensey Bay found dead after being entangled in debris, from the shipping container.

“We are deeply saddened to by this report and it is something we have been expecting to happen.

“This tragic incident highlights the very real and ongoing threat that marine debris poses to wildlife.

“While this seal was sadly beyond help, we are extremely concerned about how many other animals – both at sea and along the coastline – may be suffering unseen due to similar entanglements or ingestion of debris.

“It is alarming that, in this day and age, large numbers of shipping containers can still be lost from vessels, with devastating consequences for marine life and coastal ecosystems.

“Items such as netting and packaging materials can travel long distances and remain hazardous for months or even years.

“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden impacts of marine pollution and the urgent need for greater accountability and preventative measures to protect our seas and the wildlife that depend on them.”

There was an orange onion sack wrapped around the seal (Image: Brigitte Crunden)

Ella Garrud, communities officer at Sussex Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s always distressing to find dead marine wildlife on our beaches.

“We don’t know the cause of death in this instance, but we do know that plastics and other materials like those released in the recent shipping container pollution incidents pose a threat to marine life.

“This includes, but is not limited to, potential entanglement and drowning of marine life, the release of microplastics that can enter the food web, the damage of seabed habitats if heavy metal containers sink, and contamination from toxic substances.”

Ms Garrud then explained: “If you find a live seal on the beach, give it space – they are often just resting and will make their own way back to the ocean.

“If you find a clearly injured seal or stranded dolphin, porpoise or whale, they will require urgent professional medical attention – don’t attempt to help yourself.

“Report strandings to British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546 or injured seals to the RSPCA on 0300 123 8960.

“If you find a dead seal, dolphin, porpoise or whale, please report it to the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigations Programme (CSIP) on 0800 652 0333.”