THERE have been record numbers of seals using the southern Narooma bar crossing breakwater as a haul-out spot.
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There were 14 seals seen basking in Friday’s afternoon sun on the breakwater.
NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service area manager Preston Cope said the seals were most likely to be Australian fur seals, but could also be New Zealand fur seals.
Cope explained that there are colonies of both species on Montague Island, where populations fluctuate from anywhere between 500 and 2000 seals.
“They’re friendly looking, like dogs, but can be quite aggressive and dangerous, so should not be approached,” Cope warned.
“They can lunge, be quite aggressive and have big canine teeth.”
Retired Montague Island ranger Mark Westwood also regularly posts his breakwater seal sightings to his Facebook, noting that these are the most he has ever seen at the spot.
The seals have become quite the attraction for tourists and photos of and comments about the breakwater seals regularly pop up on various social media platforms.