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Charity tackles ghost fishing gear
Ghost fishing gear
Ghost fishing gear can have a devastating impact on marine animals and the environment.

World Animal Protection promotes Sea Change week

World Animal Protection are running a dedicated Sea Change week (4-11 June) to highlight the devastating impact ghost fishing gear has on marine animals and the environment.

Ghost fishing gear refers to any fishing equipment or fishing related litter that has been lost, abandoned or discarded.

The majority of fishing gear is made out of plastic meaning that it can remain in oceans for centuries, accumulating year on year.

World Animal Protection estimates that over 136,000 whales, sea lions and seals are killed by ghost fishing every year and an 'unimaginable number' of birds, fish, turtles and other species are also injured or killed.  

In the UK, seals, minke whales, seabirds and dolphins are at particular risk.

During Sea Change week, the charity is hoping that members of the public will help them track the presence of this gear right across the UK.

“We are dedicating a whole week to encouraging local beach users, coastal walkers, divers and ocean lovers to send us evidence of ghost fishing gear that is littering their local coastline," said World Animal Protection UK country director, Suzi Morris.

"We are hoping that those who are heading to the beach over Sea Change Week will take two minutes to look for any type of fishing litter, such as rope or netting, collect it, upload a quick photo to our website and then dispose of it safely in a bin.

"All of the photo uploads we receive will be used when meeting with Government and seafood companies to discuss the devastating impact of this problem on our environment.”

For more information visit www.worldanimalprotection.org.uk

Image (C) World Animal Protection

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."