The Solent Seals Code of Conduct
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The Solent Seals Code of Conduct Solent Seal Population Chichester Harbour Conservancy, the eastern English Langstone Harbour Board and the Channel. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife The Solent Seal Tagging project in Trust have been monitoring seal 2009 showed that these Harbour Seals populations in the Solent for a number stay primarily within in the eastern of years. Solent - from Southampton Water to The first official sighting of a Harbour Selsey Bill, including regular trips to Seal (Phoca vitulina) in the Solent was the Isle of Wight. in 1994. Since then a small population Minimising disturbance to haul-out has slowly established, with around and breeding areas in Chichester 43-50 Harbour Seals and several Grey Harbour is crucial for the conservation Seals in 2015. This is the only known of seals in the Solent. resident population of Harbour Seals in Behaviour Seals often rest out of the water, Distress can typically on mud and sand flats at low adversely affect their tide, a behaviour known as ‘hauling- health by causing out’. This is a very important time them to use energy for the animals as it allows them to unnecessarily, abandon a haul-out recover from foraging activities and site, or cause the death of a pup if it is conserve energy. The amount of time separated from its mother. seals spend on land increases during Seals are fascinating and elusive the moulting and pupping seasons. marine animals, and seeing them As seals are not very mobile on hauled-out is a highlight for many land, they are vulnerable and easily people. disturbed when hauled-out. When We politely request that all vessels disturbed, they will often enter the abide by the code overleaf when water and move away. Moving towards visiting the seals, so that they can a vessel is a sign of stress rather than continue to be observed without curiosity. experiencing disturbance. A partnership project with: Chichester Harbour Conservancy 01243 512301 [email protected] www.conservancy.co.uk Code of Conduct • Keep your distance from seals hauled out from the water (no closer than 100m or 300 ft) and use binoculars for a better view. • Limit observation to a maximum of ten minutes. • Limit vessel numbers to two at a • Always allow seals an escape time. route. Avoid boxing animals in or • Keep quiet! Do not rev engines or blocking narrow channels. shout. • Never drive or walk through a • If you are approached by a seal, group, or come between a mother maintain course with slow speed or and her pup. If you see a nursing remain stationary. Do not approach pup, leave the vicinity immediately the seal. and slowly. • Never land or go ashore at haul- out sites. Seals can be dangerous when they perceive a threat. • Chichester Harbour Conservancy will be monitoring boat activity at seal haul-out sites. • If you see an injured marine • If seals show any signs of mammal call the British Divers avoidance or disturbed behaviour Marine Life Rescue on 01825 (frequent direction changing away 765546 or 07787 433412. from the boat, moving into the • Send marine wildlife sightings to water from haul-outs or diving) www.hiwwt.org.uk/marine- then move away immediately, but sightings. at slow speed. • If you see a seal in the water, slow down (less than 5 knots or no-wake speed). • Make steady movements parallel to the animal to minimise risk of disturbance. Roger Smith.