There’s something in the water for these loved-up seals who freely frolic in fresher fertile seas.

The playful pair could be clearly seen by photographer Brian Matthews as they put on an amorous display in an underwater game of kiss chase on November 1.

UK seas have significantly improved due to environmental efforts to curb hunting, promote sustainable fishing and sustainable tourism populations.

And the clearer water seemingly acts as an aphrodisiac for the marine mammals, sparking a boom in the grey seal population.

It certainly seems to have seal-ed the deal for this cosy couple - who even tried it on with the photographer himself as he swam with them on the Farne Islands in Northumberland.

Brian, 43, who took the pictures said: “Cleaner waters make for happier grey seals and with that will come an increase in the population.

“These two were clearly enjoying each other’s company and because it is mating season they were quite flirty.

“The female seal in the images chased the male around and was trying to play with him and get his attention. She will be back next year to give birth.

“It was really great to be able to see them in such clear conditions and shows good news for the future of clean seas.”

At the turn of the 20th century, there were only 500 grey seals left on
the UK’s coasts.

There are now around 120,000 grey seals living in UK waters, which make up around 40 per cent of the entire world’s population.

Numbers are expected to rise over the coming years with the help of COP26 and the global effort to tackle climate change.

Brian, from Newcastle, spent four hours in the water with the seals, who from September to January visit the area to mate and give birth.

He said: “They physically come up to you and bite your fingers and hands, and they come for a scratch.

“They are a bit like dogs and they all have different personalities, some are curious but some are more shy and nervous.


To achieve the photographs, Brian free dived into chilly 12-degree water and used an underwater kit.

The Farne Islands is a nature reserve that is looked after by the National Trust. The islands are famous for their seal population, and every year hundreds of pups are born there.

There’s something in the water for these loved-up seals who freely frolic in fresher fertile seas.

The playful pair could be clearly seen by photographer Brian Matthews as they put on an amorous display in an underwater game of kiss chase.

UK seas have significantly improved due to environmental efforts to curb hunting, promote sustainable fishing and sustainable tourism populations.

And the clearer water seemingly acts as an aphrodisiac for the marine mammals, sparking a boom in the grey seal population.

It certainly seems to have seal-ed the deal for this cosy couple - who even tried it on with the photographer himself as he swam with them on the Farne Islands in Northumberland.

Brian, 43, who took the pictures on Friday, said: “Cleaner waters make for happier grey seals and with that will come an increase in the population.

“These two were clearly enjoying each other’s company and because it is mating season they were quite flirty.

“The female seal iin the images chased the male around and was trying to play with him and get his attention. She will be back next year to give birth.

“It was really great to be able to see them in such clear conditions and shows good news for the future of clean seas.”

At the turn of the 20th century there were only 500 grey seals left on
the UK’s coasts.

There are now around 120,000 grey seals living in UK waters, which make up around 40 per cent of the entire world’s population.

Numbers expected to rise over the coming years with the help of COP26 and the global effort to tackle climate change.

Brian, from Newcastle, spent four hours in the water with the seals, who from September to January visit the area to mate and give birth.

He said: “They physically come up to you and bite your fingers and hands, and they come for a scratch.

“They are a bit like dogs and they all have different personalities, some are curious but some are more shy and nervous.


To achieve the photographs, Brian free dived into chilly 12 degree water and used an underwater kit.

The Farne Islands is a nature reserve which is looked after by the National Trust. The islands are famous for their seal population, and every year hundreds of pups are born there.

ENDS