Spotted seal
Spotted Seal · Flagship species of the West Sea
Phoca largha (spotted seal / largha seal)
Korea's only resident pinniped, with Baengnyeongdo in the West Sea as its main habitat. A small true seal — not a direct diving target but a conservation and ecological flagship species.
The resident seal of Baengnyeongdo in the West Sea
A small true seal of the genus Phoca (family Phocidae, order Carnivora) and Korea's only resident pinniped. Rather than a species observed directly while diving, it is treated as a conservation and ecological flagship species.
Colony at Mulbeom Rock, Baengnyeongdo
A migratory species that moves between Baengnyeongdo, the North Korean West Sea coast (Jangsangot), and the icy waters of China's Liaodong Bay to breed and grow. Once recorded across the East, West, and South Seas, its domestic colony is now concentrated at Baengnyeongdo in the West Sea (Mulbeom Rock, Yeonbong Rock, Dumujin).
Where to meet the spotted seal
A flagship species that lives in colonies at Baengnyeongdo (Mulbeom Rock, Yeonbong Rock, Dumujin) and is met not at dive sites but through land- and boat-based wildlife watching. Observe from a distance.
It is triply protected as a Natural Monument, a Protected Marine Species, and a Class I Endangered Wildlife species. The colony around Baengnyeongdo is the core protection target.
The flagship of the West Sea,
keep your distance
Korea’s flagship seal of the West Sea.