Grey seals can be spotted in the waters of Ruissalo as well
The grey seal is the largest aquatic animal found in Finland. The bulky males are nearly three metres long and can weigh up to 300 kg. The grey seal eats approximately 7 kg of fish per day. While hunting, it can dive to depths of up to 100 metres and remain submerged for up to ten minutes. The grey seal population of the Baltic Sea is healthy, and nowadays those with keen eyes may spot grey seals off the coast of Ruissalo as well.
The strengthening of the grey seal population is the result of reduced environmental toxin concentrations in the Baltic Sea and minimal hunting. Grey seals are somewhat of a nuisance to professional fishers due to their tendency to plunder fish traps and break them in the process. In Finland, grey seals can be hunted with a dedicated hunting licence. There are also seal sanctuaries in Finland’s outer archipelago, where colonies of grey seals, which typically consist of hundreds of individuals, can rest easy. When the weather is calm, their ‘songs’ and barks can carry several kilometres.
