Every day, tourists flock to catch a glimpse of the fur seals that reside on the Narooma Bar breakwall, colloquially called Seal Rocks, on the New South Wales far south coast.
The sea mammals, which have big brown eyes and can weigh more than 100 kilograms, are a spectacle for visitors, who curiously hover just metres from them.
Despite their cute appearance and playful nature, the fur seals are a topic of controversy in the local community.
While tourism operators in Narooma say the Australian fur seals — which are protected and listed as a vulnerable species in NSW — are an attraction for visitors, local fishermen disagree.
No-one can offer an exact timeframe on when the seals arrived in Narooma's Wagonga Inlet, but retired commercial fisherman John Moore says he has observed the local population growing exponentially.
"Their numbers have certainly exploded over the last 20 to 30 years," Mr Moore says.
He says fish species in the area and squid are impacted by the fur seals.
"I suggest anyone who thinks the seals are endangered to get off their bums and have a look," Mr Moore says.
He's concerned the seals are eating a lot of fish, leaving few for fishermen, who are then prompted to visit other areas for a catch.
Mr Moore believes it could impact the local economy.
"[There is an] impact … on charter operators, accommodation providers, every business from the local hairdresser, through to the local bottle shop, because the number of fishers that used to come down certainly don't come anymore," Mr Moore says.
Narooma Chamber of Commerce president Jenny Munro says the local economy depends on tourism and the seals have been a drawcard for the area.
"It's just another attraction, I couldn't tell you exactly how many people they bring into town but to be able to be guaranteed to see the seals is a real bonus," Dr Munro says.
"But having said that, we don't want to see seal numbers become so large that they become either a danger or a nuisance."
Local tourism operator Francois Van Zyl says his business Underwater Safaris is thriving thanks to the seals.
"It's a fantastic drawcard … the seals being on the breakwall and gives everyone who comes here on holiday the opportunity to experience the natural coast at its best," Mr Van Zyl says.
"There are a whole plethora of businesses that thrive or benefit, basically it's ecotourism working for a small coastal town."
Since establishing his business in Narooma in 2010, Mr Van Zyl says there has been a noticeable change in what local charter companies offer, shifting from a primary focus on fishing to seal diving.
"We can be running two charters a day just on seal activities," he says.
"The tourists absolutely love them, and they've been a great attraction for both swimming with them and for just viewing them."
Seals can get snappy
In early 2018, Mr Moore was filleting fish at the boat ramp in Narooma's Apex Park when a seal bit him from behind on his calf.
Mr Moore says he does not blame the seal for the attack, but tourists need to be aware that it is not safe to pat or feed them.
"We always see people pat them and try to get close to them," he says.
Mr Moore is calling for more educational signage about the seals.
A spokesperson for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) says there is a large established fur seal breeding colony on Barunguba Montague Island, 9km offshore from Narooma.
The seals come ashore annually to moult, breed and rear their young.
"NPWS does not undertake routine surveys of the fur seal population in and around Narooma," the spokesperson says.
"While there is a known seal colony at Baranguba Montague Island, numbers fluctuate as seals are a migratory species, capable of travelling long distances."
