Seals
Updated 17 June 2025
漏 Crown copyright 2025
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open 바카라 사이트 Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
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This publication is available at /government/publications/protected-marine-species/seals
1. Seals
The UK is home to two species of native seal 바카라 사이트� the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and common seal (Phoca vitulina). Both species, as well as others, are protected in England (see below).
2. Offences relating to seals
| Legislation | To take, injure or kill | To capture or kill | To harm or kill any wild mammal with intent to inflict unnecessary suffering |
| (Applies out to 12 nautical miles (nm), for all seals) | X | 聽 | 聽 |
| (Applies out to 12 nm, for all seals) | X1 | 聽 | 聽 |
| (Applies out to 12 nm, for bearded, grey, common, harp, hooded, and ringed seals) | 聽 | X1 | 聽 |
| (Applies from 12-200 nm, for all seals) | 聽 | X1 | 聽 |
| (Applies on land) | 聽 | 聽 | X |
| (Applies to specific areas on the east and south-east coast of England for common and grey seals) | X2,3 | 聽 | 聽 |
- Using a prohibited method
- During the closed season
- Applies to specific areas on the east and south-east coast of England for common and grey seals
3. 바카라 사이트疜illing or injuring seals聽
It is an offence to intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or take a seal.聽
As of 1 March 2021 amendments made to the바카라 사이트�바카라 사이트� by 바카라 사이트�바카라 사이트痗ame into force.聽
Individual seals can no longer be controlled under the 바카라 사이트榥etsman바카라 사이트檚 defence바카라 사이트� as this defence was removed from the legislation as of 1 March 2021.聽
If you require more information please contact the MMO바카라 사이트檚 Marine Conservation Team, see bottom of this page.聽
4. Rescuing seals聽
There is a general exception in the , which means it is not an offence to take a seal which is disabled for the sole purpose of tending and releasing it when no longer disabled.聽
If you encounter a seal in distress, please do not attempt to rescue the seal yourself. Please contact an animal rescue organisation such as
If you relocate seals which are not disabled, you may require a wildlife licence.聽
5. Wildlife Licensing聽
A wildlife licence authorises activities which would otherwise be unlawful under wildlife legislation. You must have a marine wildlife licence if you want to carry out an activity likely to commit an offence. A licence will only be granted where the activity satisfies the requirements of the relevant legislation.聽
The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) is responsible for seal licensing in the English Marine Area (Mean High Water to 12 nautical miles). Please see further information regarding바카라 사이트�MMO wildlife licensing.聽
Natural England are responsible for seal licensing in rivers. Please see further information regarding 바카라 사이트�Natural England seal licensing.聽
6. 바카라 사이트疶rading and importing seal products聽
The trading and importing of seal products is regulated for all species of pinnipeds 바카라 사이트� seals, sea-lions and walruses 바카라 사이트� by the바카라 사이트�
Please see further guidance from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) regarding바카라 사이트�Bringing Seal Products into Great Britain.聽
7. Further information聽
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Bringing Seal Products into Great Britain
8. Contact information
Marine Conservation Team
0300 123 1032