Recent seal sightings at Mount Main Beach has led to Department of Conservation issuing a warning for the public.

During the weekend DOC received a number of calls on their hot line about the seal that had been spotted on Moturiki Island.

SunLive was told yesterday by several members of the public that the seal was injured, but DOC says this is not correct.

DOC have a very hands off approach when it comes to the seals and like to let things take nature's course, says a DOC spokesperson.

'It's a young seal and there doesn't seem to have anything physically wrong with it. It may or may not have a wound but there is certainly no sign of any disability or anything at this point.”

'At this time of the year is when the youngsters come out and they are on their first forage for their lives.”

DOC have been monitoring the seal at Moturiki/Leisure Island because people have been concerned about it.

'We have a very much hands off policy with the seals because they are doing what they do naturally and the best option is to leave them alone and let them get there rest.

'Sometimes they do look a little thin because they are having trouble finding food, the well survive and the not so well don't survive. And it's just a matter of letting nature take its course. And they naturally live on the beaches.

'The best thing we can do is to make sure people keep their children and their dogs away from the animal and allow it to get the rest it needs.”