The facility is named after Professor Krzysztof Skóra, the founder of the Marine Station and a pioneer in Baltic seal research.
The seal population in the Baltic dropped to fewer than 5,000 individuals in the 1980s, prompting the creation of the center.
The seals housed here include both permanent residents who cannot return to the wild due to health issues and temporary patients undergoing rehabilitation.
Each seal in the sanctuary is identified by its specific pattern of spots, which acts like a human fingerprint.
The center conducts public feedings which serve as educational demonstrations regarding seal behavior and biology.
It is the only specialized seal rehabilitation facility operating in Poland.
The Fokarium, part of the University of Gdańsk’s Marine Station, serves as a specialized research and rehabilitation center for gray seals native to the Baltic Sea. It acts as a breeding colony intended to restore the seal population in the southern Baltic basin. The facility is not a zoo, but rather a scientific outpost where seals are treated and eventually released back into the wild whenever possible. Visitors can observe seals in outdoor pools and explore the accompanying educational exhibits detailing Baltic marine ecology. The center has played a pivotal role in tracking the migratory patterns of seals released from its care. It functions as an essential hub for public awareness regarding marine protection and the dangers of plastic pollution in the Baltic environment.
The viewing platform overlooking the main pool offers a clear, unobstructed angle of the seals above and below the water line.
Observe the feeding times carefully to see the most active seal behavior.
Check the official website for current research projects or temporary exhibition closures before arriving.
Visit during the shoulder seasons to avoid the heavy crowds of the peak summer months.
Attempting to feed the seals yourself; the animals are on a strict, regulated diet managed by biologists.
Open daily year-round, but specific research areas of the station may be restricted to the public during certain seasons.
Maintain silence near the pools and do not use flash photography, as it distresses the animals.
