How to Protect England’s Grey and Harbour Seals
England’s coasts (mostly in southwest and East of England) are home to grey and harbour seals, which are charming and playful, but must be left alone (so always observe the signs put up by volunteers).
Seals are wild creatures (who can give nasty bites) and pups can drown, if spooked into the sea before they are able to swim properly.
Seal mums often hide pups in sand dunes, so keep dogs on leads (and away from breeding areas) and teach children not to approach wild seals. Join the campaign to also ban flying rings, which get trapped around necks of seals, if found on beaches or in the sea.
- Grey seals are larger and have mottled grey coats, giving birth to fluffy white pups in autumn.
- Harbour (common) seals are smaller with rounder noses, and prefer sheltered bays, estuaries and tidal rivers. Mothers raise their pups in early summer, teaching to swim within hours of birth.
Both species are skilled hunters, chasing fish and squid at sea, but need land to rest, moult and and raise their young. Disturbing them can disrupt feeding and breeding.
Legal Protection and Responsible Viewing
Seals in England are protected by law. So as well as avoiding plastic and oil pollution, you can report harm (sometimes people complain they are ‘eating the stocks of fishermen’) but it’s illegal to harm them, and that’s their natural food. For concerns, call the RSPCA or Crimestoppers wildlife crime unit (anonymous).
If at the beach, keep at least 150 feet (the length of a football pitch) away from seals (if they lift their heads, shuffle, look at you or move towards the water, you are too close). Never cross ropes or barriers put in place, and keep dogs away (read our post on keeping dogs safe by the seaside).
If you sail, read our post for sustainable sailors. Never use jet skis, as these not only can injure and kill seals, but can also drive a wedge between parents and their young, causing them to get lost, or spooked from underwater engine noise.
Learn about photography best-practice around seals. Use binoculars or a camera with zoom lens (avoid drones and stay downwind, seals have an excellent sense of smell) and avoid wearing high-contrast colours (white, yellow or red).
Still in place is a worldwide boycott of Canadian seafood, to ask the government to stop subsiding the annual baby seal cull (for the fur industry).
How to Help Stranded or Injured Seals
For any marine creature in distress, call British Divers Marine Life Rescue (RSPCA and the Coastaguard can put you through). While you wait for help, stand between the pup and sea (to stop pups drowning or freezing).
Seals often rest on land (especially after storms) so use binoculars or a zoom lens, to avoid disturbing seals that may be okay (some have scars, due to encounters with fishing gear). Mothers are often nearby.
But if the pup has baggy skin, or is coughing/sneezing with mucous or rapid breathing, it could be kill. Some seals shiver (it could be cold or fear, but could be netting). Find more info at:
- Seal Research Trust (share sightings around the SW (sightings@sealresearchtrust.com).
- Friends of Horsey Seals (Norfolk)
- Seal Alliance
Where to Learn More About Seals
- Seal Secrets is by the founder of Seal Research Trust, condensing knowledge from years of observing seals in the wild. Profits fund the charity’s work.
- Seal Alliance Protection Action Group helps seals and their habitats worldwide.
- Pacific Marine Mammal Center (US) offers distance learning programs to help seals.
Organic T-shirts & Hoodies (to help seals)
These organic cotton t-shirts and hoodies (for men, women and children) are printed with green energy and eco inks, sent in zero-waste packaging. A portion of sales helps Seal Research Trust, which rescues injured seals, and releases them back in the wild.
You can donate anonymously (add Gift Aid if you’re a UK taxpayer). Another way to help this wonderful charity is to set up an account at easyfundraising. Then whenever you buy something from a participating company or service, a portion goes to them, at no cost to you (loyalty points are not affected). You can also use this service to help Friends of Horsey Seals (Norfolk).
