Seal watchers

What is a seal watcher?

Seal watchers are specially trained professionals or volunteers who act on behalf of a rescue centre when seals are reported along the Dutch coast. These seals may be sick, injured or orphaned. Only seal watchers are allowed to assess and handle the seal in question when necessary, according to the Seal Agreement signed in 2020. This is prohibited for non-officially recognised seal watchers. Moreover, it can be dangerous for both humans and animals. The recognition of seal watchers greatly helps to protect seals and prevent beachgoers from interfering with them themselves. Unfortunately, this still happens, although usually with good intentions.

The watchers are trained to be the eyes and ears of the experts at the seal centre they work for. There are three active centres in the Netherlands: A Seal in Stellendam, Ecomare on Texel and Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen. We see seal watchers as our heroes of the day. Because the best environment for every seal is a healthy sea, and every day they work to prevent seals from getting into trouble.

No shelter, but peace and quiet

Seal watchers are well equipped to determine whether a seal actually needs help. Often this is not the case, and the wild animal simply needs peace and quiet and space. We cannot say it often enough: the best environment for every seal is the sea. And that is where the seal watchers plays an important role. They are well trained in assessing the situation. They are in close contact with the vets and carers at the rescue centre and, based on their combined expertise, they determine the best course of action for each individual animal. They are also well trained in creating a safe environment for the seal. This includes, for example, moving the animal in distress to a more suitable, quiet place where the public cannot reach it.

Information and education

Seal watchers are our eyes and ears on the beach when it comes to assessing a seal, but they are also our voice when it comes to contact with the public along the coast of Zeeland and South Holland. They are the ones who stand alongside the public on the beach and provide information about seals, their habitat and the seal rescue policy in the Netherlands.

The training

Seal wardens are trained to work safely around and with seals. The training consists of two parts: theory and practice.

The theoretical training includes:

• What are the characteristics of seals in the Netherlands?
• How to recognise any abnormalities.
• How to contact the rescue centre.
• How to drive and work safely on the coast.
• How to communicate with the public and the regulations surrounding seals.

The practical training includes:

• How to safely catch a seal
• How to safely place a seal in a transport crate
• How to safely transport a seal
• Stabilising a seal
• How to cool a seal
• How to free a seal from entanglement

Armed with all this knowledge and expertise, seal watchers can get to work for the rescue centre under whose licence they operate.

What can you do yourself?

Of course, you may encounter a seal on the beach. What should you do then? Above all, give the seal peace and space, at least 30 metres. If you find that difficult to estimate, it is about the distance of two city buses. Keep your dog on a leash, because a seal bite can also be dangerous for your dog. If you are unsure whether the seal is okay, you can always call 144. They will put you in touch with a seal sanctuary. If it turns out that the seal may need help, the sanctuary will send a seal watcher. The watcher may also want to call you to confirm the location.

This is followed by a period of approximately 24 hours during which the seal will be observed, unless immediate assistance is required.

Rules

The Seal Agreement has also changed the rules around seals. Before, basically anyone who thought a seal was in trouble could move it. Now, only officially trained seal rescuers who are approved by a rescue centre can handle seals. This is prohibited for others. This is, of course, a good thing, as they are the largest predators in the Netherlands and even the pups can bite viciously. In addition, seals can carry zoonoses, such as viruses. It is precisely for this reason that the regulations stipulate that seal wardens must be properly trained.

In addition, the decision to take in a seal is always made by the medically qualified staff of the seal centre, such as a veterinarian, who can properly assess the condition of an animal. In this way, the regulations help to protect seals and prevent unnecessary rescue.