"Out-dated laws and people ignoring advice" means seals need legal protection, says charity
Nearly 20,000 have signed a petition to strengthen laws protecting seals
Last updated 9th Sep 2021
The chairman of Friends of Horsey Seals, Peter Ansell says seals need better legal protection due to out-dated laws, a growing seal population and people ignoring advice in place.
This comes as a petition, which wants to strengthen laws protecting seals, has received just under 20,000 signatures.
Mr Ansell says he's heard reports from "all around the the UK" that "wherever there's a colony of seals accessible by beach, they're getting pestered by members of the public that don't know any better".
He told us that he'd "sooner just get the message out there", than for new laws to be introduced. But he says "its not getting through" and that if a few people get "a fine or a hefty fine, then maybe people will stop doing this."
He went on to say that the "grey seal population is increasing" and that the old legislation that dates back to the early 1970s "gives them virtually no protection at all."
Mr Ansell also told us that many more seals have now migrated south towards Winteron-on-Sea, which he called a "completely different ball game" when it comes to protecting seals. This being due to there being no sea wall and the beach itself being "incredibly wide".
He concluded by say that seals "are used to public walking up and down", but do get spooked when they are approached.
He urged members of the public to stay at least 10 metres, (the length of a double-decker bus), away from seals when they are on the beach as they have come on shore to rest.
This comes after Friends of Horsey Seals told us that a dog was allowed to terrorise a young seal on Tuesday night in Great Yarmouth, after being let off their lead.
Vice-Chairman of the Friends of Horsey Seals, David Vyse , reiterated that people should never force seals into the sea and keep your dogs on leads whenever they are on the beach.