Yellowsea Spotted Seal

On the island of Baengnyeongdo in the Yellow Sea, the dedicated community-led project called Spotted Seals of Baengnyeongdo (점박이물범 백령도), or Yellowsea Spotted Seal on social media, is working to protect one of Korea’s most endangered marine mammals: the spotted seal. Known locally as 점박이물범, these seals find refuge along the island’s rocky northern coast, especially near Dumujin.

Since 2019, local seal friends have been monitoring the seal population, their haul-out sites and seasonal patterns through land and sea surveys, drone observations, and public education. Their efforts have helped raise awareness, inform policy, and even earn national recognition. With up to 283 seals recorded in a single season, Baengnyeongdo has become a vital sanctuary for this species.

The group is working within the wider ecological efforts of the Greenincheon project of nearby city Incheon, which also chose the spotted seal as a mascot for their campaign.