Seal Suffering on Our Shores? Campaign Launched to Ban Deadly Beach Toy

Campaign kicks off today to stop flying rings from killing seals

A national campaign to protect seals from the dangers of flying ring toys has officially launched today, Monday 26th May 2025.

The ‘Save Our Seals from Flying Rings’ campaign, led by the UK Seal Alliance, aims to raise awareness of the harm caused when plastic flying rings are lost or discarded at beaches and in waterways. With over 33,000 signatures already on their petition — before today’s official launch — campaigners say this reflects strong public support for action.

“Flying rings pose an unnecessary and avoidable threat to seals,” said Jennie Hobson, Chair of the Flying Ring Strategy Group. “By simply swapping to seal-safe beach toys such as a solid disc frisbee, preferably non-plastic, everyone can help protect our beautiful and iconic seals.”

The deadly cost of a cheap toy

Flying rings, often sold for as little as £1 to £2, are typically made of plastic and resemble a thin disc with a hole in the centre. When left behind at the beach or near the sea, they pose a serious risk to seals. Drawn in by natural curiosity, seals often end up with the ring trapped around their necks. As the animal grows, the ring cuts into its flesh, causing painful injuries, infection and often death.

Rescuing these animals is rare. In many cases, the seal’s location or the danger involved prevents help from reaching them. Those that are rescued often require months of rehabilitation. The RSPCA estimates that the cost of treating an entangled adult seal ranges from £10,000 to £15,000. That’s up to 45,455 times more than the average wholesale price of the toy that caused the injury.

What the campaign wants to achieve

The campaign’s aim is simple: to prevent unnecessary harm to seals caused by discarded flying rings.

Its objectives include:

• Raising public awareness of the risks posed by flying rings

• Encouraging people and retailers to stop buying, using or selling them

• Pushing the government to ban their import and sale in the UK

• Promoting safer alternatives like biodegradable solid disc frisbees

• Getting local councils to support voluntary bans in their areas

A number of major retailers including Tesco, Pets at Home, Halfords and Sainsbury’s have already stopped selling flying rings. Smaller independent retailers are also showing support, with many now displaying posters stating ‘We Do Not Sell Flying Rings’.

How to get involved

The campaign team has created tools to help the public spread the word, including posters, guidance on approaching local shops and councils, and templates to support conversations about change

To show support, people are being urged to:

• Sign the petition at change.org/SaveOurSealsFromFlyingRings

• Switch from flying rings to safer alternatives

• Ask local shops and councils to get behind the campaign

Jennie said, “We are pleased to launch this campaign in an effort to raise awareness and bring about important changes that will ultimately protect our precious seals from harm.”

The team behind the campaign believes that if the public gets behind it, the UK could become the first country in the world to eliminate flying rings entirely.

“We want you to consider the harm caused and the effect of not doing anything that could make a positive difference.”