“The difference between a miracle and a fact is exactly the difference between a mermaid and a seal.” – Mark Twain
How can something so cumbersome on land, be so incredibly graceful in the water? I find myself asking this exact question every time I see a Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus).
Did you know that the Farne Islands in Northumberland are home to one of the largest Grey Seal colonies on the East Coast of England? Around 2.5% of the pups born annually in the UK are from the Farne Islands.
A Grey Seal underwater in amongst the kelp taken by Matthew Stephenson (@stevo_submerged)
The first time I had a face-to-face interaction with one of these curious creatures, was a moment I’ll never forget. I was a newly qualified diver, and it was my first boat dive. We stepped off the boat and descended. Since I was still a fairly new diver I was buddied with an instructor, about 10 minutes into the dive I could feel something behind me, thinking my fin was hitting a rock I repositioned myself, when I looked at my buddy, he signalled to me to turn and have a look. When I looked back there was a seal hanging onto my fin by its teeth! It let me drag it for another 10 minutes before it eventually let go. When I got back onto the boat, I could see teeth indentations on my fins! I couldn’t have wished for a better animal encounter!
A Grey Seal pup at St Mary's Lighthouse taken by Freya White (@freya.rw)
In and around the Northeast, Grey Seal pups are born from September to December, with mothers producing one single, white furred pup. Although small they easily stand out from the colonies.
“The head, in contrast to the rest of the body, is so small that it appears as if someone made a mistake while putting the animal together.” – Gerald L. Kooyman
There are a few different places in Northumberland and the wider Northeast where you can see Grey Seals. The main being the Farne Islands, Northumberland. A simple boat trip away. Another great place is at St Mary’s Lighthouse. If you walk across the causeway and round the island you can watch them as the slumber and relax on the rocks.
A Grey Seal at the Farne Islands taken by Jonny Charlton (@jonny_charlton1988)
It is important to remember that Grey Seals are highly protected and must be respected. Keeping a distance is the main way to keep both the seals and you safe. At both the Farne Islands and St Mary’s Lighthouse it is prohibited to go near or approach the seals. It is also worth remembering that no matter how cute they may look, they are still wild animals, so if you encounter one underwater, you should never touch them, they may touch you or come close to investigate but our hands must remain to ourselves. However, no matter how many safety procedures are put in place seals sadly do still get injured and disturbed, whether through anthropogenic causes or by natural ones. But it’s not all bad news for injured seals, there are different charities that are devoted to helping our blubbery friends. BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) are trained volunteers who get called out to not only seals, but dolphins and whales who may need help. Tynemouth Seal Hospital are a rehabilitation centre that take in, care for and eventually release injured seals. And Living Seas with Northumberland Wildlife Trust are dedicated to education, conservation and protecting our coastlines.
Maybe next time you are near the sea, you may get a visit from a Grey Seal!
Katarina Martin
@underwaterkatie on instagram
