VIDEO: Brixham sightings surge as 62 grey seals recorded in single day

A remarkable 62 grey seals were recorded on Brixham’s wave barrier this week (7 January), in what marine conservationists say is another sign of a thriving seal season along the South Devon coast.

The Cove Discovery Project, a coastal conservation centre based in Brixham, reported that 12 of the 22 dedicated haul-out platforms were occupied, while six more seals were seen resting on pontoons within the marina.

The numbers add to what has already been described as an “extraordinary winter” for seals in South Devon, following several rescues and the area’s first recorded wild pup birth earlier this season.

Grey seals are a protected species and Torbay has become increasingly important as a feeding and resting area, helped by safer coastal environments and increased monitoring. However, conservation teams continue to warn the public about the importance of responsible viewing – including keeping a distance, preventing disturbance and ensuring dogs are kept under control near the shore.

All images and video courtesy of: The Cove Discovery Project

Local wildlife groups say the sustained presence of seals highlights both the health of marine habitats and the pressures the animals face. Disturbance, discarded fishing gear and marine pollution remain ongoing risks.

Brixham has become one of the South West’s most reliable places to see seals in recent years, with sightings frequently reported around the breakwater, Berry Head and along the coastline toward Paignton and Torquay.

Further monitoring is expected to continue through the winter as conservation teams track numbers, behaviour and migration patterns.