Grants

Marine Conservation

South Devon Seals

£4,371 awarded

Project Dates: 15.04.24 to 15.05.25

The Seal Project in Brixham is the only seal research organisation in South Devon. It has increased knowledge of seal activity in the South West, and can recognise returning seals to the area by their fur patterns and their behaviours.

Grey seals are a globally rare species but can be frequently seen around South Devon shores, and despite Common or Harbour seals not being very ‘common’ in this area, a small number are seen regularly.

This project will fund the installation of a remote access camera in Kingswear, South Devon to record seal numbers and identify individual seals in Dartmouth estuary – increasing data, knowledge, and understanding of seals in the area, and spotting any entanglements or injuries early, to enable The Seal Project to more efficiently expand its area of impact.

The camera will also record disturbance issues, so they can take action to educate and engage with Dartmouth and Kingswear authorities, boat owners, local businesses, and holiday-makers on best practice and how to avoid disturbing seals while enjoying the coastline.

The camera will be run by volunteers and the Citizen Science they gather will be added to the UK database of seal sightings and recordings and shared with the Seal Research Trust (Cornwall).

Image credits: The Seal Project

IMPACT UPDATE May 2025

Project Activities:

  • Setting up and installing a remote camera system at the NCI Coastwatch building, including a solar panel to power the camera.
  • Monitoring seals remotely. This includes recording seal numbers and individuals to build a picture of populations.
  • Making the camera view accessible to the public.
  • Engaging with specific target groups including local residents, children and young people, tourists, and the tourism industry

 

Project Impacts:

  • Increasing public awareness and understanding of wildlife and what is needed to keep them safe and undisturbed, through education and public engagement.
  • Reducing disturbance risk to seals through accurate data to educate various groups like local authorities, pleasure boat owners, local businesses, and holidaymakers on best practices.
  • The ongoing project will build a better picture of the coastal wildlife, through remote and unintrusive monitoring methods.