If you spend anytime at Semiahmoo, you’ll soon discover the large seal population. Most days, you’ll find several dozen sleeping the day away on the Marina breakwater. Harbor seals, especially Northwest Harbor Seals, are one of the most unique animals on the planet. Harbor seals are common in many waters, but the Northwest variety is especially common in Washington state. Frankly, they are cute little animals that practically beg to be cuddled, at least as far as appearances are concerned. However, that is absolutely the last thing that you should ever do.
Harbor seals do not like to be touched. In fact, they should not be bothered by human beings at all. They are actually quite vulnerable and they prefer to be left alone, so they can become very upset when a person gets too close. They have a tendency to come up on the beach in order to get warm and to sleep, so bothering them disrupts their entire cycle. Worse yet, it can teach young pups that humans should not be feared, thus preventing them from learning how to act like a seal in the first place.
Harbor seals will eat just about anything in the water. The truth is, they change their diet depending on their location and the time of year that it is. Typically, they eat all kinds of fish like salmon, rockfish and flounder, but they also eat squid and crustaceans. While they are in the water, they have to worry about things like sharks and killer whales. Young pups that are sick or injured are often preyed upon by eagles. However, their biggest predator, whether intentional or unintentional, is man. More seals are injured or killed as a direct result of some type of interaction with human beings than many other predators. The sad part is that in most cases, the human beings responsible for it have no idea that they have even put the seals in danger by leaving fishing line lying around or doing something similar.
During the 1950’s and 60’s, their was actually a bounty on harbor seals, folks assuming they were doing the right thing by seemingly protecting the fish population. More than seventeen thousand seals were killed during this period. Oops.
Today, federal law protects harbor seals. Human beings should remain at least 100 yards from any seal and they should never interact directly with the seal even if it appears to be in distress. Additionaly, people should keep dogs and other animals away from the seals and refrain from feeding them even if it is tempting to do so. If you find a stranded marine mammal, note the exact location and the condition of the animal. Call the NOAA Marine Mammal Coordinator at (206) 526-6733. To report violators of the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, call (800) 853-1964.
The seals are a lot of fun to watch, but it is best to watch them using binoculars. One thing is certain, they can definitely provide plenty of entertainment for those who are content to watch them in their native habitat.
More info @ http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/pugetsound/species/seal.html