Marine Wildlife

Wild Common Seal UK Haul-Out Disturbance

Common seals at haul-out sites are vulnerable to disturbance from humans and dogs. Protecting haul-out sites is essential for seal welfare.

Key Facts

Common seals spend 30-60% of their time hauled out on land for rest, thermoregulation, and pup rearing
Disturbance causes seals to flush into the sea, separating pups from mothers
Pupping season from June-July is a particularly sensitive period
UK common seal populations have declined in some areas, with causes under investigation
Designated haul-out sites have approach exclusion zones to prevent disturbance

Welfare Considerations

Flushing of seal colonies into water causes energy expenditure and, during pupping, pup-mother separation that can lead to starvation of dependent young. Repeated disturbance at productive haul-out sites prevents seals from meeting thermoregulatory and resting needs. Legal protection of haul-out sites must be paired with effective enforcement.

What You Can Do

Keep at least 100m distance from seal haul-out sites
Keep dogs on leads near beaches where seals are present
Report seal disturbance to the RSPCA or relevant marine mammal organisations