Grey seals are the UK's largest native mammal and have a growing population on Atlantic and North Sea coasts, with welfare considerations including human disturbance during pupping, entanglement, and disease.
Grey seal pups born on exposed beaches during winter are vulnerable to abandonment if mothers are disturbed by human approach. Disturbance causes the mother to flee into the sea, leaving pups too young to swim safely. Entangled seals suffer from line or net injuries that can cause progressive necrosis and drowning. Intentional killing of seals by fishermen seeking to protect catches remains a concern in some regions. Strong legal protection, disentanglement networks, and public education are essential welfare protections.