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Where to observe seals on the Opal Coast?

Located in the south of the Opal Coast, the Somme and Authie bays are known to regroup the major part of the French coastal population of harbor seals (1.70 m long and 90 kg in weight). This population is completed by a small colony of grey seals, much larger (length of 2.50 m and weight of 200 kg), which are differentiated by their head and the way they position themselves on the sandbank. Throughout the year, you can see these seals at the tip of Hourdel or at Berck-sur-Mer, at low tide, when they rest on the sandbanks, or at high tide along the shore or the harbors.

But these bays are not the only places to see them. They can also be admired in the Calaisis. While hiking in the Cape Gris-Nez, you can see them from far away along the coastline to Audresselles, often nestled in the notches (they sometimes merge with a rock!). In Boulogne-sur-Mer, they often venture into the harbor, and next to the Digue Carnot. In Portel, the Fort de l'Heurt is the ideal place to see them at low or high tide.

How to observe seals on the Opal Coast?

First of all, let's remember that this is not about finding the best places to "pester" or "harass" seals. Although it is tempting to get as close as possible to them, seals are not domestic animals. In spite of its "too cute" looks, it remains a wild animal, curious, certainly, but which can also feel in danger in front of the man. If it multiplies so much on our coasts, it is because it feels good and safe there. To be able to observe it is a privilege, which must be practiced in a respectful way if we wish to continue to see it prosper. This is why it is preferable to use binoculars to observe it from a distance: from 10x40, the magnification is sufficient to be able to watch it.

It is important to keep in mind that the seal is a marine animal. The sea is the place where it feels safest, the gray seal and the harbor seal can reach a speed of about 35 km/h when they are in the water to be easily safe. This is why you are most likely to see a seal up close when it is swimming, if you are in a boat or kayak for example, because it knows it can simply run away if it feels in danger. If a seal approaches your boat, stay calm, don't try to pet it, and admire it. Let the seal choose whether or not to approach you, and respect its choice. With a little luck, he may even keep you company for a long time. If he is on a resting place when you pass by in a kayak or boat, don't stop and sail on the opposite shore to disturb him as little as possible.

At low tide, seals need to rest on the sandbanks to regain their strength. This is part of their biological cycle. Their resting time is essential for them to stay healthy and to complete their annual moult thanks to sufficient sun exposure. It is then easier to observe them and to spot them, sometimes in schools of several dozen individuals. However, it is also when they are on the sand that seals feel the most vulnerable and that it is advisable to be the most cautious. Seals are fast in the water, but slow on land (which makes their movements sometimes so incongruous to observe), so they know they are in danger when they are resting there. For this reason, it is necessary to keep a distance and opt for binoculars to better observe them.

When seals are in the water, you can sometimes pass by without noticing them. If you pass near a known spot at high tide (the Crans trail at Cape Gris-Nez, for example), keep your eyes open. Often, you will only see their little head sticking out, which can be mistaken for a rock. If the "rock" moves, it is probably a seal. And often, as soon as you see one, you also see the others! Hence the interest of binoculars to be able to check if it is a seal... or a rock.

How do you know if you are too close to the seals?

If you want to be sure not to disturb the seals during your observation, you must first respect a minimum distance of 300 meters and avoid driving on their sandbank. Then, their behavior will tell you what you should do:

⁃ Seals raise their heads: this means that you are disturbing them and that you are already a bit too close. Stop calmly and back off if necessary.

⁃ Seals come closer to the edge: you are really too close, back away immediately and calmly to a distance of at least 300 meters (and do not try to get closer afterwards).

⁃ Seals return to the water: they are frightened, and you are disturbing their natural balance. Move away calmly and leave them alone.

⁃ Also beware of crowds, which sometimes tend to mistake the best-known observation spots for an amusement park.

It is essential to remain calm during your observation, do not talk too loudly, do not point. Continue to monitor the behavior of the seals. It is not up to them to move away, but to you to adapt. As soon as they react to your presence (see above), it is a sign that you should calmly move back several dozen meters.

Don't hesitate to make your friends and family aware of the disturbance they may cause to this animal. It is by getting to know the seal and by acting to observe it without disturbing it that it will continue to feel good on our coasts.

The special case of the breeding season

Summer is the breeding season for the harbour seal, and it is possible that you will come across a young seal's little face. However, here again, keep your distance. It is important not to disturb a mother with her pup, as this could lead to separation and increase the risk of mortality of the pup, or require outside intervention by a licensed person.

If you come across a mother with her baby, do not approach her. Feeding is only done at low tide, twice a day for three weeks, to allow the young seal to gain weight and develop in good health. If you get too close, the mother may get scared and run away without having had time to feed her pup. Imagine if she is disturbed too often, the young may suffer and not gain enough weight.

Similarly, it is not abnormal to come across a young seal that seems to be alone... but often its mother is watching it from a distance, well hidden in the water. In this case, once again, do not approach because as long as the beach is not deserted, the mother will not return to feed her pup. Move away from at least 300 meters and above all keep this precious moment to yourself and do not broadcast it on social networks. Maybe you are respectful and careful, but the people you could attract will not necessarily be. Don't forget that it is a matter of life and death for them.

If in doubt, contact the Pélagis association (05 46 44 99 10). Do not try to transport the animal even if it seems to be in bad shape, you could worsen its condition despite all your good intentions. Moreover, the seal is a protected species that you are not allowed to touch or transport.

What to do if you find an injured seal?

If you find a seal that seems to be injured or in trouble, the first thing to do is to keep your distance. This animal is indeed protected by law, but it can also be aggressive (like any injured wild animal) or carry diseases. So, make sure you don't touch it and remain vigilant, while paying attention to its condition in order to provide some information to the rescue team (is it bleeding? do you see any visible wounds? does it have a strange behavior?)

You can then contact Pelagis (05 46 44 99 10) who will take care of contacting the necessary people. If possible, give the GPS coordinates of the place where you are (or at least try to find visible and identifiable landmarks). There are in fact four associations that work all year round for the preservation and protection of seals: the association Picardie Nature(http://www.picardie-nature.org/), the association Découverte Nature(https://fr-fr.facebook.com/ADN.Berck/), the GDEAM(https://fr-fr.facebook.com/Gdeam-62-190907624390683/) and the CMNF (Coordination Mammalogique du Nord de la France; http://www.cmnf.fr/).

Stay away and, if you can, prevent curious people from approaching it or trying to touch it, transport it or release it into the water. It is not uncommon for some people to try to intervene at all costs, but the seal is a wild and protected animal, and only authorized professionals can intervene. Too large a crowd would also cause stress to an already weakened animal, as seals feel very vulnerable when they are on land. This would only worsen its condition and it is also punishable by law.

Thanks to Patrick Thiery of the association Picardie Nature and its volunteers Christine Martin, Corinne Varin and Simon Thiery for their help in the constitution of this file.