The Seabirds to Seascapes (S2S) team is calling on all citizen scientists to record seal spotting's along the coast of NSW with the help of the online Haul-Out, Call-Out platform to further inform future marine conservation efforts.
A 'haul-out' is the term given when seals temporarily leave water to rest or reproduce. Haul-Out, Call-Out allows the community to record the location and time of where they have seen a hauled-out seal, as well as several other factors.
The platform can be accessed via the Haul-Out, Call-Out landing page.
Seal sightings recorded via Haul-Out, Call-Out will be used to complement information collected through ongoing drone surveys along the NSW coastline.
The inaugural drone survey took place at Barrenjoey Headland and will be followed by drone surveys at other known haul-out locations in NSW such as Barunguba Montague Island, Seal Rocks Nature Reserve and Steamers Head.
These activities are part of the S2S program's broader Seal Survey initiative, which includes tagging and monitoring rehabilitated seals after their release to study their preferred habitats.
Earlier this year, Diaz, a New Zealand fur seal, was the fifth rehabilitated seal to be released under the S2S program. After her release from Sydney Heads, she travelled more than 6,000 km down towards Tasmania.
The Seal Survey will inform various marine conservation initiatives in NSW and reduce gaps in knowledge that will assist in mitigating the risks associated with human and seal interactions.
People must keep at least 40 m from an adult seal and 80 m from a pup, as well as keeping their pets under control. The penalty for approaching seals within prescribed distances is up to $1,320.
The Haul-Out, Call-Out launch coincides with Biodiversity Month, a time to celebrate the value of connecting with and caring for nature in all its diversity.
