Seal found with harpoon in back at Port Phillip Bay 'lucky to be alive'

A fur seal found with a harpoon lodged in its back is lucky to be alive, say Victorian wildlife officers.

The injured animal was found on Saturday at a channel marker near Portsea with a harpoon protruding from its back.

The seal was taken to Melbourne Zoo for treatment before being released on Sunday morning.

The maximum penalty for injuring or killing a seal is six months jail and a $7350 fine.