Seals get disturbed from all sides

There were a lot fewer seals hauled on the island today. As the tide retreats, the seals haul out on the rock ledges. As this happened today, 5 people on long surf boards left the shore at Godrevy and headed across the channel to the Island. The 2 seals that had hauled on the emerging ledges were soon disturbed back into the sea. The 5 surfers landed on the island and and walked around the lighthouse. The call of the nesting birds showed just how much they had been disturbed by the human landing party. After some time the surfers returned to their boards and paddled back to the beach below the winter car park. Soon afterwards, a fishing boat passed close into the East rock (the other side of the island) where there were 8 seals large male seals hauled. This caused one more seal to go back into the sea. Fishing boats rarely disturb seals, who seem used to the sounds they make and the boats pass across them, rather than directly towards them. Finally, a dive boat arrived with 5 occupants. This approached the remaining seals on the East Rock carefully. Within a few minutes 2 more seals had gone. To my surprise, 2 divers left the boat just off the East Rock. I left before any more seals were disturbed, feeling depressed from seeing the seals under threat from all sides! If only everyone kept to the following Marine Code of Conduct.

• Keep your distance - never go closer than 100m for one boat.
• Never drive head on to move, scatter or separate marine animals
• Spend no longer than 15 minutes near the animals
• Maintain a steady direction and slow 'no wake' speed
• Never swim close to wild marine animals for thier safety and yours.

5 boards approach island ledges (far left) : 1 remaining seal soon leaves (Mid left) : Boards land on island (Centre left) : Birds disturbed too (Centre right) : Standing on roof (Mid right) : Returning to the mainland (Far right.)

Seal haulout (far left) : Dive boat approaches (Mid left) : Careful approach (Centre left) : Diver 1 enters water (Centre right) : Another seal leaves (Mid right) : Very close in (Far right.)

13/06/05