Talk

Entanglement in marine debris and active or lost fishing gear is a serious and growing threat to seals and other marine mammals.

This presentation explores how entanglement affects Australian fur seals at Seal Rocks, Victoria, with a focus on how researchers are using new technology to help save seals. It will showcase how drones equipped with thermal imaging can help detect entangled seals more effectively, including individuals caught in difficult-to-see materials such as fishing line.

But detection is only part of the story: what happens to seals before and after they become entangled? Using health assessments, behaviour tracking, diving data, and satellite tracking, this research examines how entanglement influences seal health, movement, and survival after rescue, and how we can give affected seals the best chance of recovery.

This talk will highlight how cutting-edge techniques are improving how entanglements are detected, understood, and managed to support better rescue, monitoring, and conservation outcomes for Australian fur seals.  

Suitable for ages 7+

Presented by: Adam Yaney-Keller, Phillip Island Nature Parks

When: 11am - 11.45am

Cost: Included in Festival Experience Pass (seats subject to theatre capacity)

Location: Festival Hub - Theatre