MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A large number of seal deaths was recorded along the coast of the greater Mossel Bay area last week.

The Stranded Marine Animal Rescue Team (S.M.A.R.T.) warned residents earlier that with adverse weather conditions, newborn seal pups may be washed off Seal Island in Mossel Bay when waves crash over the rocks on the island.

The organisation said on its Facebook page, that the pups were not good swimmers yet and tides may carry them on to our beaches.

This phenomenon may continue until the end of December.

During the week of 15 to 21 November, a total of 35 seal deaths were recorded.

The largest number of dead seals were found on the beach between Glentana and Little Brak River and 17 dead seals were found in the Hartenbos area.

"Most of these were under-yearlings, who appeared to be smaller and thinner than in past years. Certainly, the total of 35 dead in one week is much higher than usual," the organisation said.

Complete necropsies have been done in Cape Town, but the results of these necropsies were not yet available at the time of going to print.

Mass seal deaths have been recorded from the West Coast to Port Elizabeth recently.

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