Maintain a safe distance from Seals
16 October 2023
by Inala Swart, Conservation Ranger
The coastline along the great ocean road is home to a range of incredible wildlife, and the popularity of this area with humans means that wildlife and people often come into close contact on our beaches. One of the more common animals to come across are seals.
On occasion this includes visit by Antarctic species of seal such as elephant seals and leopard seals, but by far our most common species are the resident Australian fur seals. This species was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century but through conservation efforts has made a comeback. They live along the coastline of southern Australia and breed on rocky shores and islands.
It's not uncommon for seals to come ashore onto beaches to rest, or for seals to become habituated to humans in harbours and boat ramps. Here they have an increased chance of encountering people, which can put both us and them in danger. Seals are very large and can be quite aggressive on land, particularly if they feel threatened or have become too used to being fed.
The law in Victoria requires that humans must stay a minimum of 30m away from any seal on land, and you must stay 50m away if you have a dog. In a man-made area such as a jetty or boat ramp, the law is to stay at least 5m away, but always give any seal as much distance as possible. It’s very important to never feed seals or allow them to eat discarded fishing scraps as this can teach them that humans are a source of food and can make them very dangerous. Always dispose of fishing scraps in a bin and don’t discard them into the water.
If you see a seal on the beach and you suspect it’s unwell or injured, you can contact Zoos Victoria Marine Response Unit (MRU) who are a dedicated marine unit who respond all cases of marine wildlife needing help in Victoria. Their number is 1300 245 678.
