Sharing Seal Space by the Seashore

Seals play an important role in marine ecosystems as both predators and prey. However, seals are sometimes viewed negatively due to widespread belief that they compete with fishermen for fish and attract sharks. Many beachgoers along the North Atlantic coast of the United States are surprised to see seals on the beach. Before learning how we can support local seal populations in the North Atlantic region, let's clear up some common myths about seals!

The national Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program coordinates emergency responses to sick, injured, distressed, or dead marine mammals and sea turtles. The marine mammals include seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and whales. NOAA Fisheries is the lead agency that coordinates the program’s efforts, which involve a variety of partner organizations, including:

• State and federal wildlife and fisheries agencies
• Veterinary clinics
• Non-profit agencies
• Academic institutions

Organizations that respond to stranded marine mammals hold special permits authorized by NOAA. All marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

A stranded animal is one that is dead, one that is unable to return to the water, is unable to move within the water, or needs medical attention. A seal on the beach may be sick or injured and require medical attention, but it could also be healthy and simply resting. It is normal for seals to rest on beaches or rocky coastal areas. Mother seals sometimes leave their pups unattended on the beach for a period of time while they return to sea to hunt. If you see a seal that is entangled, appears sick, is injured, or if you are unsure, please report it to the stranding network at (866) 755-6622.

If you visit beaches in the North Atlantic, you may encounter a seal. What should you do if you find one? Keep in mind that all marine mammals are federally protected and only organizations that are authorized by NOAA may handle them (such as Stranding Network Response partner organizations).

After learning how to behave around seals, be an ambassador and share what you've learned with friends and family members too!

Practice proper behavior around seals and educate your friends and family members about seal etiquette. Remember: stay back, don't touch, keep dogs on a leash, and don't disturb the animal. Observe the seal's behavior from a safe distance. If you are not sure whether an animal is in distress, do not approach it but do report it.

If you see a dead, injured or distressed whale, seal, dolphin, porpoise, or sea turtle, please call the NOAA Fisheries 24-hour stranding hotline: (866) 755-6622.

The region of the Atlantic coast from Maine to Virginia is served by the  Greater Atlantic Marine Mammal Stranding Network . There are 13 organizations along the North Atlantic coast that respond to seal stranding reports. These organizations collaborate with one another and NOAA to recover, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured seals along the coast. The Stranding Network also responds to stranded whales, dolphins and sea turtles. Scroll through the following map to meet the Stranding Network partner organizations! Use the plus (+) and minus (-) symbols in the lower right corner to zoom in and out. Some organizations in the Stranding Network have their own hotlines for reporting stranded marine wildlife, but the 24-hour NOAA stranding hotline can be used to report stranded animals anywhere along the North Atlantic coast at (866) 755-6622. If you know which Stranding Network organization responds to reports in your area, visit their website and save their hotline number in your cell phone. The following map shows each Stranding Network partner organization that responds directly to stranded seal reports or provides rehabilitation. Get to know the organizations in your area!

On April 24, 2020, a local beach walker found an entangled gray seal hauled out at Camp Hero State Park in Montauk, New York and immediately called the New York State Stranding Hotline. A team of New York Marine Rescue Center (NYMRC) biologists responded to the call immediately to rescue the distressed seal. Carbonara, a female, yearling, gray seal was entangled with twine around her neck. Carbonara was rushed back to the NYMRC hospital facility for a complete physical and removal of the entanglement. 

Carbonara was left with severe lacerations around her neck from the entanglement. Blood work collected during the admit physical indicated leukocytosis and antibiotics were administered immediately. In addition, topical treatment was provided to Carbonara to help prevent further infection. 

Carbonara received care at the NYMRC hospital for 8 weeks before she was cleared for release by the senior veterinarian. Carbonara was fitted with a blue plastic identification tag on the right hind flipper with the numbers: 90. These tags allow for post-release identification if the animal is re-sighted or strands again. On June 22, 2020 Carbonara was released back into the ocean at Tiana Beach in Hampton Bays, New York!

Next meet Nubble, a juvenile male hooded seal who was stranded on Hampton Beach in New Hampshire on February 11, 2020. Nubble was rescued by the Seacoast Science Center, where he stayed overnight. The following day, on February 12, Nubble was transported to the National Marine Life Center (NMLC) for rehabilitation. His symptoms included dehydration, lethargy, and a cut on the rear left flipper. He also had sand in his gut and involuntary eye spasms. At NMLC, Nubble was treated for parasites and given hydration therapy. He was released on Scusset Beach State Reservation in Sandwich, Massachusetts on March 2, 2020 following a successful recovery.

Where can you expect to find seals along the North Atlantic coast? Explore the following maps and check out gray seal pupping sites and seal stranding locations. Which species can be found in your area? Do you live near a stranding hotspot? Watch for seals in your area. Practice proper seal etiquette by keeping your dog leashed on the beach, staying 150 feet away, and saving NOAA stranding hotline number in your phone.

Explore the following maps by using the slider to move between data sets. Click on the icon in the lower left corner to view the map legend. Move the map by holding down your left mouse clicker and dragging the mouse. Zoom in and out by using the + and − symbols on the lower right corner. Click on individual data points to learn more about the stranding event.

If you see a dead, injured or distressed whale, seal, dolphin, porpoise, or sea turtle please call the NOAA Fisheries 24-hour stranding hotline: (866) 755-6622. Save the number in your cell phone!

All photographs and data presented in this Story Map were obtained under the appropriate NOAA Marine Mammal Protection Act Scientific Research Permit or Stranding Agreement.

Here are some ways you can help protect North Atlantic seal populations!

1. Next time you are at the beach, pick up some trash!
2. Don't get too close to seals. Watch them from a safe distance of 150 feet.
3. Keep your dog on a leash at the beach.
4. Take the Share the Shore Pledge!