New Zealand fur seals have been sighted along Western Bay of Plenty beaches this week reaching from Waihi Beach to Papamoa.

The Department of Conservation reports both adult and juvenile seals have been sighted in Papamoa, Mount Maunganui, Tauranga and Waihi Beach in the last week.

Motunau fur seal and suckling pup. Photo: Dan Rapson.

DOC has recently confirmed the existence of a local breeding population offshore at Motunau (Plate Island) which means coastal residents and visitors are increasingly able to see the seals in their natural habitat, lazing on the beach and playing in the water.

DOC's Community Relations Ranger Pete Huggins says this could lead to the Western Bay of Plenty coastline becoming more of a seal hotspot in the future.

'Seals are marine carnivores that eat things like squid, octopus and barracoutta – mainly at night. Our local waters are plentiful, and these seals are on to a good thing by living here, just like we are.

'It's important to let nature take its course and these seals will naturally come ashore to rest, and spend time in the shallows basking. In most cases there is nothing alarming going on.

'Seals' biggest threats are humans and dogs; so we want people to control their pets and to give seals room, as these animals are fully protected by law.”

'A number of recent calls to the DOC emergency Hotline (0800 362 468) have been false alarms reporting sick or oiled animals.

'This is understandable because a seal's natural behaviour is to sneeze and cough, with watery eyes, which can look like a human cold but is actually a result of their time at sea.

'Equally, seal colouring is often dark and greasy which can look like oil, and we've all seen the negative effects of oil recently.

Pete says there are no reports of oil in the water currently and no oiled wildlife has been confirmed for months.

Pete says seals can carry infectious diseases and deliver a nasty bite when threatened and it is therefore recommended people stay 20 metres away from seals and control dogs in the vicinity. 'Never touch a seal or feed them.”

It is also illegal to harass or injure a seal.

DOC has a minimum intervention policy with seals and will only get involved if the seal is seriously injured or is being harassed, is entangled in something like a net or rope or is in a dangerous place such as a road.

In these situations, DOC Rangers will attend and take necessary action. Otherwise it is important to let nature take its course.

For more information visit www.doc.govt.nz and search 'fur seal”, or ring DOC on 07 578 7677, email: taurangainfo@doc.govt.nz