Marine Animals

Wild Common Seal Haul-out Disturbance

Common seals haul out to rest, pup, and moult, and disturbance at haul-out sites causes energy expenditure, pup separation, and population-level stress.

Key Facts

Common seal numbers in UK waters have declined over the past two decades
Haul-out sites are essential for thermoregulation, moulting, and pupping
Disturbance from boats, kayaks, and pedestrians causes flight responses into the sea
Pups separated from mothers during disturbance events face high mortality
Designated haul-out protection zones exist but enforcement is inconsistent

Welfare Considerations

Repeated disturbance at haul-out sites causes individual seals to spend energy fleeing rather than resting, and pups separated from mothers during disturbance events often starve. Maintaining minimum approach distances and enforcing haul-out protection zones directly protects seal welfare.

What You Can Do

Maintain minimum 100-metre approach distances from seal haul-outs
Report disturbance of haul-out sites to SNH or Natural England
Support campaigns for better enforcement of marine wildlife protection zones