The danger posed by marine debris to wildlife was highlighted on the East Coast on Sunday when a juvenile New Zealand fur seal was saved from an agonizing fate by Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service officers.

Parks and Wildlife Service manager Peter Mooney said rangers were patrolling the PWS vessel Geographe in the Governor Island Marine Reserve area near Bicheno when they spotted the juvenile seal on Alligator Rock with fishing netting wrapped tightly around its neck.

"The netting had obviously been caught on the seal for some time as it had dug deeply into its neck and probably would have eventually resulted in the death of the seal if not removed," Mr Mooney said.

"Rangers spent more than an hour in attempts to catch the seal to remove the netting. They eventually had success, when they were able to secure the netting with a boat hook and the seal's own movements freed it from the netting.

"The rangers are hopeful that the seal's wounds should heal."

Mr Mooney said this incident highlights the cruel effects that marine debris has on marine life such as sea birds and marine mammals.

"For example, young seals can be subject to death by strangulation as they grow with plastic or net fragments entangled around their necks. Extensive wounding to marine animals can occur from fishing line debris, nets or ropes which cuts into the animal's skin and can lead to infection and eventual death.

"We would like to stress that anyone undertaking fishing activities should take care with their nets and fishing line and pick up any floating debris."

People who encounter entangled or injured marine wildlife should ring the Whale Hotline on 0427 Whales (0427 942 537) so that trained wildlife officers can respond.