Neil the seal is a southern elephant seal that has been visiting Tasmania twice yearly since his birth on Turrakana/Tasman Peninsula in October 2020.
Neil has become a social media sensation and has attracted crowds during his time ashore.
The Tasmanian government's new management plan includes a minimum approach distance of 30 metres.
New measures to protect Tasmania's favourite elephant seal Neil will require onlookers to stay at least 30 metres away from him when he spends time on land.
The new rules are included in an updated management plan released today.
"Everyone loves Neil, he's very popular, but we've also got to respect Neil," Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.
"We want to ensure we're protecting Neil's safety, of course, and the safety of the community as well."
An interim protection order has also been made under the state's Threatened Species Protection Act to provide "additional legal protections for southern elephant seals and their habitat when they haul out in key coastal areas of southern Tasmania".
The order includes a minimum approach distance of 30 metres, requirements to keep dogs under control and away from seals, restrictions on parking vehicles close to seals, and separation distances for vessels and drones.
Breaching such an order could lead to a conviction and a fine.