“We are delighted with our new status as a rescue and welfare centre – now for both seals and porpoises. The improvements seen are just part of our ongoing innovations to be a world-class recue centre. We will always strive to provide the best facilities to the animals in our care. It is important to us that any injured or sick animals that we help can be released back into the wild as soon as possible after they are rescued. By creating the very best welfare centres we are mimicking their natural environment as much as possible which further supports their transition back to full health and release status.”

"Over the last 25 years, we have been able to collect significant data on all the rescued animals. As part of our ongoing focus on raising awareness of the issues facing seals, we are pleased to now be able to share this information with our guests in a fun and interactive way. Due to our years of expertise and experience with seals, we are one of the top European centres when it comes to sheltering seals. We have regular contact with colleagues from our neighbouring countries to exchange information and thus collect data on the different seal populations on our Belgian Coast. We know that this population is growing. In addition, we are getting more and more calls for our Rescue Team to go on site to examine and catch a pup."

"Here, too, we notice that the number of strandings is increasing. In addition, it turns out that these animals, which are the most common species of whale in the North Sea, did not have proper rescue facilities available until now. It was therefore obvious for us to provide a suitable space for these animals in our renovation as well. Our Rescue Team is available 24/7, together with the North Seal Team on the beaches. As a result, we are able to deploy in a short period of time and rescue the animals,"

"The porpoise is the most common small cetacean in our North Sea, there are about 4,000 of them. The porpoise is sensitive to certain pollutants, overfishing and sometimes they also get caught in nets. Last year, I have already taken several measures to protect marine mammals. These included a restriction on the recreational use of fishing nets. In 2022, 45 porpoises were stranded, the lowest number since 2004. These were often young, starving animals. It is good that here in Blankenberge we now have new and well-equipped infrastructure and well-trained people to take care of sick or injured porpoises. The aim must always be to get the animals back into the sea. I am confident that SEA LIFE will give them the best opportunities to do so.”