Harbour seals face threats from prey depletion, entanglement, disturbance at haul-out sites, and pollution that create ongoing welfare challenges in coastal marine environments.
Harbour seal welfare at the population level is determined by the ecological health of coastal marine environments and the management of the multiple human activities that intersect with seal behaviour. Disturbance at haul-out and pupping sites — from recreational walkers, photography, and drone use — causes mothers to abandon dependent pups that cannot yet self-regulate body temperature. Entanglement in pot lines and gillnets causes drowning and injury. Viral outbreaks amplified by pollution-induced immune suppression create population-level welfare crises. The individual-level welfare interventions most accessible to the public — maintaining minimum approach distances at haul-out sites and pup beaches, avoiding drone use near seals, and supporting non-lethal deterrents at aquaculture sites — directly reduce disturbance mortality and injury.