This is why Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire will be closed to the public for two months – South Wales Guardian

Posted: September 24, 2021 at 10:50 am

Some very special visitors are heading to Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire.

Recent years have seen increasing numbers of the Grey seal population breeding in and around the lagoon and spotting them is an exciting wildlife encounter that many visitors wont forget.

However, the combination of the Blue Lagoons high visitor numbers, and its sheltered nature which makes it so attractive to seals, creates a situation where there is a high potential for disturbance to seals.

The time seals spend resting on land is vital to their health and that of their pups as they are digesting a recent meal, socialising, and feeding their young.

In order to provide them with a safe environment to raise their pups, National Trust Cymru will be closing the Blue Lagoon to visitors from September 25 through to November 5.

Visitors will still be able to watch these wild creatures in their habitat from the coastal path and coasteering activity providers who have signed up to the National Trusts Coasteering Agreement and undertaken specific training on how to operate around seals, will still have access to the lagoon with groups of visitors who have booked in advance.

Mark Underhill, National Trust Cymrus Countryside Manager, Pembrokeshire said: There are two species of seal that can be found in Britain; the Common seal and the Grey seal. Only Grey seals occur regularly in Pembrokeshire, where they are present all year around.

About half the worlds population of Grey Seal breed on our coastline and the total number in West Wales, mostly Pembrokeshire, is estimated to be about 5,000, with some 1,400 pups being born each year.

The breeding season is vital for our seal colonies here in Pembrokeshire, and we ask that visitors do not access the Blue Lagoon and that they follow the guidelines laid out by the Seal Alliance and Pembrokeshire Marine Code when on the coastal path.

Paul Renfro from the Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum said: The Pembrokeshire Marine Code recommends remaining at least 50m away from the seals, though they can be disturbed at any distance so its important to be responsive to their behaviour.

If a resting seal looks up or turns to looks at you then you are close enough at whatever distance you are at. Seals can be particularly sensitive to disturbance after periods of stormy weather and during the breeding season so we recommend giving them extra space at these times.

To avoid disturbing seals at this very important time of year, National Trust Cymru recommends adopting the following strategies:

Originally posted here:

This is why Blue Lagoon in Pembrokeshire will be closed to the public for two months - South Wales Guardian

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