The expected winter influx of New Zealand fur seals has begun in the Bay, with up to four different animals reported at popular beaches this week.

Fur seals are beginning to be spotted in the Bay of Plenty.

Seals have been dubbed 'the new normal” by the Department of Conservation, which believe seals are a natural part of Bay of Plenty ecosystems – but a species which has been missing for more than a century.

This means Bay residents and beach goers are increasingly able to see the seals in their natural habitat, lazing on the beach and playing in the water.

But one fur seal has been killed already after having its flipper injured by a boat or predator.

SunLive reported this week that the injured adult fur seal was spotted around the base of Mauao four days before being shot by the Department of Conservation.

At the time DOC biodiversity ranger Brad Angus said following advice from a vet the decision was made to euthanise the injured seal in a discrete area of the harbour.

'They are fairly robust animals but this one was a major one and there was nothing we could do about it.”

DOC marine ranger Dan Rapson is also grateful to the member of the public who rung the DOC hotline about the injured seal.

'The vast majority of these seals are healthy and happy, but we want to know straightaway if a seal is carrying a heavy injury, is tangled, or is being harassed by dogs or people.

He adds it is not uncommon to see seals naturally coming ashore to rest.

'They prefer rocky outcrops but sometimes lie on sandy beaches or spend time in shallows basking. In most cases there is nothing alarming going on.”

Although carrying infectious diseases and a nasty bite, of up to two tonnes per centimetre of pressure, seals' biggest threats are the public and dogs.

DOC advises people to keep 20 metres away and take extra care in controlling their dogs.

It is also illegal to harass or injure a seal.

It is understood that New Zealand fur seals are rebounding from catastrophic reductions in population due to commercial hunting in the 19^th Century, with numbers expected to increase as new nationwide breeding colonies are established.

Breeding has been confirmed in the Bay of Plenty, with a small number of pups thought to have been successfully weaned last season, from a small rookery on Motunau (Plate Island).

Rules for observing seals / sea lions

• Always stay at least 20m from seals. Allow them space if they are active.
• Do not disturb seals. Do not make loud noises or throw objects in their vicinity.
• Always keep dogs and small children under control and away from seals.
• Never attempt to touch or handle seal. They can be aggressive if threatened, and you can carry diseases that can transfer to them and make them ill. You can also catch diseases from seals through their skin, sneezes, coughs and barks.
• Do not feed any seal.