LIFE ON THE SHORE AND IN THE SEA

Seals

Seals began visiting the island shortly after its formation, using it as a resting place. Constant erosion of the shoreline inhibited them from breeding there on a regular basis until the year 1983.

Numerous common seals haul out on the island in the winter time, because fish are plentiful around Surtsey. In the autumn, grey seals breed on the northern spit of the island. In 2003, about 40 white-coated grey seal pups were observed there in October, making Surtsey one of the most important breeding places for grey seals on the southern part of the Icelandic coast.