Seals

[DanTribe]

I was surprised to discover that I'm guilty of disturbing seals and threatening the recovery of these lovely animals.

http://www.wildessex.net/species/common seal.htm

The colony that inhabit my favourite creek don't seem at all disturbed by normal boating activities.
Is this another example of the Goretex Brigade wanting to control all wild places and exclude anyone not in their club?

 

[tillergirl]

Seems to me that they enjoy the company; there's been one that almost lives in Mersea. Spent the night on a mooring in Lawling Creek and the babies were playing all around us in the moonlight.

 

[dylanwinter]

seals

the backwaters population has gone from 5 in 1986 to over 50 today

I assume the number of boats on the backwaters has risen over that time so clrearly not disturbed by the boats

I have moored in Oakley creek several times and woken in the morning to find seals lounging in the mud within yards of the boat

they have swum within feet of me and been hunting within 30 yeards of me

so I am not sure they get disturbed that much by boats

Dylan

 

[Tradewinds]

We had one in the Stour last year.

Spent the night in the dinghy

So not fazed by human beans at all.

 

[EdWingfield]

Grey seals here

At Holy Island we have around 200 Grey Seals. Pups are born on Farne Islands. I was out around Coquet Island (Amble) last w/e and had a good number of inquisitive winter pups coming up to the boat.

Seahouses tripper boats make a good trade taking folk out to view the animals at close quarters in the nature reserve.

Seems to me they tolerate humans. Indeed the Farnes divers tell of the seals following them about and nibbling on their fins!

 

[Gumpy]

Saw one in Bradwell Marina.
Fish werent that impressed.

 

[Peegee]

Nature warriors

Can report the same from the Swale. Seal population has increased healthily over the last couple of years, despite an increase in boating activity. Dont see any disturbance from the local boating fraternity, though will admit that some of the jet ski brigade seem unaware, or uninterested in their presence. the nature people lose my support when they get all protectionist and claim a holier than thou attitude.

 

[Master_under_Dog]

The article only says that recovery may be threatened by increasing boating activity. Most breeding sites need a degree of protection from human intrusion and my guess is that most contributors would agree with that. But supposing we all set off in our dinghies to land at the breeding sites and give the babies a cuddle. That would almost certainly be to the detriment of the breeding seals since they would not feel comfortable about returning to the site. There may be those who would like to get closer and an increase in the number of boaters may mean an increase in the number of those who might act irresponsibly.

I have made commercial trips to see seals and all operators have been at pains to explain why they do not approach the colonies too closely and try to keep noise to a minimum. So I don't see much new about this article. And I don't see it as being aimed at those of us who enjoy the wildlife we see and are concerned to make sure we keep our disturbance of it to a minimum.

Michael