Stichting Zeehondencentrum Pieterburen said it may have to file for bankruptcy within two weeks after expected financial support from the province of Groningen and the municipality of Het Hogeland failed to materialise. The centre, now based at the World Heritage Centre Wadden Sea in Lauwersoog, said it would no longer be able to take in seals if it goes bankrupt.

One report put the deficit at nearly €3 million and said the new building had cost more than expected, while income from donations and admission tickets had disappointed. That report also said 40 jobs would be lost in a bankruptcy.