On September 21, 2025, Neath Port Talbot council made a move that could reshape summer days on the sand—and, more importantly, save the lives of some of the UK’s most beloved marine mammals. The council announced a voluntary ban on plastic flying rings at two of its most popular beaches, Aberavon Beach and Small Beach (also known as Little Warren), in response to mounting evidence that these seemingly innocent toys are causing devastating harm to seals along the Welsh coastline.
Plastic flying rings, often tossed back and forth in friendly beach games, have become a deadly hazard for seals. According to BBC, the hoops can become trapped around a seal’s neck, sometimes with tragic results. Councillor Robert Wood, who spearheaded the initiative, explained the gravity of the problem: “Young seals are naturally curious and may insert their heads in to the rings becoming entrapped. Once stuck the ring can cause serious injury, infection and ultimately death due to the inability of the animal to remove it.”
The UK is home to a staggering 38% of the world’s North Atlantic Grey seal population, making the country—and South Wales in particular—a critical stronghold for the species. Councillor Wood emphasized this point in his address to the council, urging immediate action to protect these vital animals. “South Wales played a significant role looking after the species,” he said, underscoring the region’s responsibility in global conservation efforts.
Images circulated by both BBC and Express paint a harrowing picture: seals with deep, festering wounds carved into their necks by plastic rings, the injuries often so severe that the animals succumb to infection or are left unable to hunt and ultimately starve. The cost of rescuing and rehabilitating a single injured seal can reach up to £15,000, according to Councillor Wood—an expense that highlights both the emotional and financial toll of the problem.
The council’s ban is, for now, voluntary. There are no fines or penalties for those who ignore it. Instead, Neath Port Talbot Council hopes to prompt a groundswell of support from retailers, beachgoers, and the broader public. In a statement, the council said, “While the ban is voluntary and will not carry fines or penalties, it is hoped it will prompt support from both retailers and the public.”
That hope isn’t unfounded. The issue has already sparked widespread public concern, with more than 43,000 people signing a national petition and backing a campaign led by the UK Seal Alliance to eliminate these harmful toys from coastal areas. The council’s decision, which received unanimous support from its members, is part of a broader trend across England and Wales. Other local authorities, including Swansea and Vale of Glamorgan councils, have enacted similar measures. Major retailers such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s have also voluntarily stopped selling flying rings—a sign that the campaign is gaining real momentum.
But why are flying rings so dangerous to seals in particular? As Express reports, the answer lies in the natural behavior of young seals. These animals are inquisitive by nature, often exploring their surroundings with their noses and mouths. A brightly colored plastic ring, left behind on the sand or floating in the surf, can be irresistible. Once a seal pokes its head through the ring, it can become trapped, unable to wriggle free as it grows. The ring digs deeper into the animal’s flesh, causing pain, infection, and, in many cases, a slow and agonizing death.
The campaign for change extends beyond local bans. Neath Port Talbot councillors have thrown their weight behind a UK-wide legislative ban on plastic flying rings. They’ve asked council leader Steve Hunt to write to both the Welsh and UK governments, urging them to consider a legal prohibition on the sale and use of these toys along the nation’s coasts. “Council members supported a broader campaign calling for a UK-wide ban and have asked council leader Steve Hunt to formally appeal to both the Welsh and UK governments for legislative action,” Express confirmed.
The voluntary nature of the ban has raised questions about its effectiveness, but council leaders remain optimistic. The hope is that public education, combined with pressure on retailers and the visibility of the issue, will lead to real change on the ground. “The issue has already sparked widespread public concern,” the council’s statement noted, referencing the tens of thousands who have signed petitions and the growing media coverage of the problem.
This isn’t the first time a seemingly innocuous beach activity has come under scrutiny for its impact on wildlife. Environmental advocates have long warned about the dangers of plastic waste in marine habitats, from discarded fishing gear to single-use packaging. But the case of the flying ring—marketed as a harmless toy—has struck a particular chord, perhaps because the harm is so visible and the victims so charismatic. Seals, with their soulful eyes and playful antics, have become unlikely symbols in the fight against plastic pollution.
Local authorities are hoping that the voluntary ban will serve as a model for other coastal communities, both in the UK and beyond. The unanimous support from Neath Port Talbot council members, along with similar measures in Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan, suggests that attitudes are shifting. Retailers, too, are playing their part: Tesco and Sainsbury’s, two of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, have stepped up by removing flying rings from their shelves.
For now, the focus is on education and awareness. Beachgoers are being asked to leave their flying rings at home and to spread the word about the dangers these toys pose to seals. The message is simple but urgent: protecting marine life starts with small, everyday choices.
As the summer draws to a close and families pack up their beach bags, the hope is that the story of the seals—and the movement to save them—will linger long after the last ring has been thrown. With continued public support and growing political will, Neath Port Talbot’s voluntary ban could be the first step toward a safer, cleaner future for the seals of South Wales.
Every action, no matter how small, can ripple outward. For the seals of the UK’s coastline, that ripple could make all the difference between life and death.
