The animal welfare minister has opened the region’s first platform where seals can find some peace and quiet, and where tourists can look but not touch

Flanders’ minister for animal welfare has opened the first pontoon for resting seals, in the marina at Blankenberge. Seals in open seas often come to the coast to rest but find the beaches too busy with people, while harbour areas are built-up and impossible to reach.

At Blankenberge, they had been taking refuge on a pipeline used for dredging work, but that was closed during the summer. Locals noticed the seals’ plight and suggested a floating dock at water level that the animals could use as a resting place.

The idea came through to animal welfare minister Ben Weyts, and the government’s coastal agency worked with Sea Life in Blankenberge to find a solution. They picked a location close to the lockmaster’s former house, where the seals could find peace and quiet.

“The seals’ well-being was the priority in choosing a location,” Weyts said. “We were looking for a place where the public would bother the seals as little as possible. But the location still has an attraction for tourists.”

Visitors will be able to see the seals only from a distance. Sea Life has placed signs advising the public that they may not touch or feed the seals.

They also learn how to spot a healthy seal and what to do if one looks sick. In that case, Sea Life collects the animal and cares for it, before releasing it back to the sea.

As the pontoon was opened, Sea Life released one recovered seal – named Ben – back to the water. “It’s good to see that we can provide for animal welfare at the local as well as the Flemish level,” Weyts said.

Photo courtesy De Standaard