Picture: MATT BARNES BEACH visitors to the North East are being urged to give seals space after a series of disturbances resulting in injuries to seals in the North-East and Yorkshire. Conservation groups have raised concerns for the welfare of seals after a number have been disturbed by human activity. Matt Barnes, co-founder of the Yorkshire Seal Group and member of the UK Seal, says footfall on beaches has increased due to a lack of overseas holidays due to the pandemic. Pups are dependant on their mothers but quickly because independent, often getting lost on beaches when finding their way after resting.