Atlantic Grey Seal

Grey seals are known to range throughout the SAC and some 66 pups have been estimated to be born on beaches within the SAC each year.

Furthermore a tagging study modelling at-sea usage of the Irish Sea for grey seals has identified an area of high usage in the southern part of Cardigan Bay some 40-50 km offshore.

The diet of grey seals in west Wales is thought to consist mostly of whiting, flatfish, herring and dragonet.

What can you do to help?

Like the dolphins of Cardigan Bay, we know that seals are fishing, breeding and socialising in the area. You can help by making every effort not to disturb their activities, especially while they are ashore with young.

During the pupping season young seals can often appear abandoned. This is not usually the case, as they are left on the beach while their mothers are out foraging for food, and they should be left undisturbed. If you are concerned about the welfare of a seal please report it to the RSPCA on 08705 555999.

Atlantic grey seal fact file

Description: Males or ‘bulls’ grow up to 3m and are generally darker than females or ‘cows’ that only grow up to 1.7m. Pups are white at birth, but turn a greyer colour within the first few weeks. They have a streamlined body, with a large nose & eyes.

Behaviour: They can often be seen surfacing near the shoreline while hunting and feeding but also go out to sea for long periods. Seals will dive for around eight minutes when foraging for food, but while at rest, or asleep, they may remain submerged for up to 13 minutes.

Diet: Fish, crustaceans & molluscs.

Reproduction: Female seals produce one pup a year during the autumn and have them ashore on the Bay’s secluded beaches and in sea caves.

Population: The UK hosts some 124 000 Atlantic grey seals (about 39% of the world population). In southwest Wales the population is estimated at 5,000.

Local numbers: Around 66 pups are estimated to be born in the SAC each year, around 17 of them between Ynys Lochtyn and New Quay Head.