Marine & Wildlife

Wild Common Seal Welfare and Disturbance

Common seals haul out at traditional sites for rest and pupping, and disturbance at these sites causes stress, separation and reproductive failure.

Key Facts

Common seals haul out on sandbanks and rocky shores across UK coasts
Pupping occurs from June to July; pups can swim from birth unlike grey seals
Boat disturbance causes haul-out groups to flush into the water repeatedly
Chronic disturbance reduces foraging efficiency and increases energy expenditure
UK common seal populations have declined significantly in some regions since the 1990s

Welfare Considerations

Disturbance of hauled-out common seals causes repeated acute stress and disrupts pupping. Respecting exclusion zones at haul-out sites is essential for population welfare.

What You Can Do

Keep at least 100 metres from hauled-out seal groups on land and water
Report deliberate disturbance of seal haul-outs to Natural England
Follow Marine Conservation Society guidelines when visiting seal haul-out sites