Visitors, boaters urged to stay away from St Leonards seal
Visitors are being urged to stay away from a seal that has taken to sunning itself at a St Leonards boat ramp.
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Crowds are being warned to steer clear from a seal spotted near St Leonards boat ramp.
Bellarine MP Alison Marchant issued a public plea calling for people to act responsibly while the seal rested along one of the ramp jetties.
Ms Marchant said Bellarine Bayside had roped off the area for the safety of visitors and the seal.
It’s understood the authority worked alongside other organisations including the
Marine Response Unit at Zoos Victoria and Parks Victoria.
Seals are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and people are advised to maintain a minimum distance on land of 30m from a seal, 50m if walking dogs and 5m on a jetty or pier.
It is an offence to wilfully injure, disturb, chase or herd seals, or to feed any marine mammal, and carries a fine of up to $3,846.
Ms Marchant said it was concerning to hear of reports of undesirable and what could be reportable behaviour at the ramp.
“I urge boaters to be safe, so everyone can enjoy the water and fishing on the Bellarine,” she said.
A number of dead seals were found ashore between Apollo Bay and Wye River as a result of the wild weather during the Christmas period.
A spokeswoman for the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority earlier this month said about two dozen seal carcasses had washed ashore during the month of December.
“In the aftermath of severe weather and rough sea conditions, we often experience a higher number of animals which may become exhausted or die and are washed up on beaches,” the spokeswoman said.
“The Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority works closely with the Melbourne Zoo Marine Response Unit for marine wildlife incidents.
“It is common for wildlife such as seals, penguins, and seabirds to seek refuge on beaches along the Great Ocean Road during adverse weather.”
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Originally published as Visitors, boaters urged to stay away from St Leonards seal
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