Seal Haul-Out Welfare and Human Approach Disturbance

Common and grey seals use haul-out sites to rest, regulate temperature, and moult. Disturbance at these sites causes mass flushing into the water with significant energy costs and risk of injury.

Key Facts

Hauling out is essential for seals to rest, moult, and thermoregulate
A resting seal flushed into the sea uses as much energy as several hours of swimming
Stampedes of flushed seals can injure or kill young pups underfoot
Disturbance by dogs is the most commonly reported cause of haul-out disruption

Welfare Considerations

Repeated disturbance of haul-out sites forces seals to maintain alert postures rather than resting, or flee repeatedly into the sea. This chronic energy drain can affect body condition, particularly during the energetically demanding moult. Pups separated from mothers during disturbance-triggered stampedes can be permanently separated. For pregnant grey seals approaching term, repeated disturbance increases the risk of premature birth in the water. Even well-intentioned approaches for photography cause the same energy costs as deliberate harassment.

What You Can Do

Keep at least 100 metres from seal haul-out sites and observe with binoculars or a zoom lens
Keep dogs on leads near beaches known to be used by seals for resting
Never enter the water near hauled-out seals or approach in a kayak or paddleboard
Report chronic disturbance of important haul-out sites to the Sea Mammal Research Unit or local Wildlife Trust