Seals

[sjwpjw]

Do seals ever attack or are they just VERY curious?

Had my first close up experience with one today and was a bit unnerving as was on my own.

Diving in Ireland by the way.

Thanks

 

[HEDS]

I have seen a seal come close once , it is very scary - they look so much bigger underwater !!
I havent heard of any attacks , i suppose there would have to be a reason - still bloody scary though!

 

[Lazuli]

They normally seem quite curious and chilled out in my experience. The thing is to read their body language. They are a bit like dogs in that respect and seem quite individualistic.

Pups are sooooooo cute!

 

[foxfish]

Never heard of a bad attack but some have been known to steal fish from divers floats & I have heard about individuals biting divers fins!

 

[fcallagy]

If they blow bubbles its a sign of aggression afaik so maybe back off a bit. Usual stories I hear is of taking fish. May be more agrresive if your near a colony and they are pupping.

 

[Lazuli]

If they start circling you and maintaining proximity its a really sensible idea to unload one's gun. A negligent discharge into a friendly seal would be a really s**t scene.

 

[foxfish]

I am not going to did up an old thread but someone did shoot one & it did not make nice reading at all!!

 

[agbiv]

Don't have them in the Gulf of Mexico but had fish (salmon) stolen right off of the line in BC. Came up w/ half a fish twice--once right by the boat. Then orcas showed up ...no more fish or seals--all ran scared. Anyone ever seen an orca while diving?

 

[foxfish]

Errr luckily no!! However there was one spotted about 15 years ago, only just of our coast where there is a small seal collony!!

 

[efattah]

I have played with seals a lot, and in one case the playful seal bit me a few times and also clawed at me, but not hard, just playfully, testing the composition of the wetsuit, much like sea lions do. No damage to the wetsuit.

 

[sjwpjw]

Thanks for the replies.

I was diving near a rocky island where there are maybe 6-10 lying around including pups. I have seen a pup in the water before but this was a mature one.

Think I will maybe stroke this spot off my list until they leave again - from what i can see there aren't so many flatties around when then are there anyway.

Coundn't find any gnarly stories about attacks on google but I suppose if pups are nearby....

Probably sound like a bit of a wuss when lots of guys dive with sharks but don't want to take unnecessary risks!

 

[hyeparis]

I would not dive where seals hang around - great whites and other sharks love them

 

[Erik]

Probably sound like a bit of a wuss when lots of guys dive with sharks but don't want to take unnecessary risks!

Teeth are teeth, brother.
I've had seals body-check me, stalk me, bite my suit and fins.... on SCUBA during the rut. Males are really territorial at that time.
:blackeye

 

[agbiv]

Erik---that's the seal love dance. Watch out next time. :t

 

[Erik]

Erik---that's the seal love dance. Watch out next time. :t

Haha, luckily I didn't have a relief zipper in the back of my drysuit! :chatup

 

[agbiv]

Yeah...would give a whole new meabning to "tight seal"! :naughty

 

[mabster]

http://forums.deeperblue.com/spearo-board/83999-bloody-seals-new-post.html
They get closer than close up here.
I swear this seal fell in lvoe with me today.. just would not leave me alone!!

 

[foxfish]

Here is another interesting article -

williew
Re: ireland spearing 2009 permalink

--------------------------------------------------------------------------saw this report recently about seals attacking swimmers on the south side of dublin bay.
i have been approached by seals from howth to wicklow head, have had fish taken off my stringer and had my fins nipped. they definately arent shy.
any other spearos have any trouble with seals ?
what do you think of the newspaper article ?

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/sexstarved-seals-prey-on-bathers-1861388.html

 

[Nat.m]

Not myself but many of my friends who surf have been bitten by seals on many occasions, seems to be the same spots probably the same seal got a taste for neoprene.........

 

[sjwpjw]

Cheers guys - think I will adopt a cautious approach - pity as there is a nice spot right beside the island.