Harbor Seals in Sandy Hook Bay this Winter

Last week, residents of the Sandy Hook Bay region were once again reminded that it is still winter. For a time in February, it seemed as if every few days another epic winter storm would arrive to pound the shore with wind, sleet and snow. The latest storm came in the form of a classic nor'easter that spun around for three days to bury the northern Jersey Shore under roughly a foot of fresh snow.  Although historically February is the snowiest month of the year in New Jersey, you still have to wonder if perhaps Valentine's Day, a day devoted to love, hope, and warmth in the middle of the month, wasn't established during a similar wintry February.

This late winter has been a strange combination of blizzard-like snowstorms and strong winds on one hand, and large flocks of wintering Robins and early arriving Red-winged Blackbirds on another hand. Yet, the intense weather and curious sightings of bird life have not stopped some people from heading outside to catch a glimpse of one of the bay’s most adored marine mammals - the Harbor seal.

(A young Harbor Seal spotted in Long Branch this past winter)

Perhaps the only constant this winter season has been the sight of Harbor seals in Sandy Hook Bay. Since around mid-December, a number of Harbor Seals have been sighted in and around the Sandy Hook Bay region, on both the estuarine and ocean sides of the peninsula; and as far south as Asbury Park this year.

Harbor Seals often begin arriving in the bay around December, with population numbers peaking in February  before they start to depart for northern waters in March. It seems to be an annual trend that seal sightings increase in late winter. This is most likely due to an increase in the Harbor Seal population in southern New England  and Cape Cod, with an overflow of young seals finding their way to Sandy Hook Bay and the Jersey Shore,  and the seasonal arrival of millions of herring from the sea. Seals usually eat up to eight to 10 pounds of food a day, so they will go where the food is most abundant, including Winter Flounder, Squid, and Soft-shell Clams.

(A group of seals that have hauled out to rest and regain their strength)

Though it is common to think that seals are scarce, this is really not true. The combined tidal waters of New York and New Jersey have more than 5,000 seals that call this region home during the winter. Even though a seal out of the water might look like it is in distress, more often than not, the seal has hauled itself out of the water to rest and take a nap.

Harbor seals often haul out onto piers, rocks or beaches during any time of the day or night to rest, sleep, and relax, though haul out time is often limited by tide height. In Sandy Hook Bay, Harbor Seals are more likely to haul out at low tide during sunny days to warm up their bodies under the energy of the sun. While on land, Harbor Seals rarely move from one location. They remain alert and wary, and turn their heads frequently to watch for potential danger. When alarmed, the group of resting Harbor Seals will quickly rush into the water in a matter of seconds.

(In New Jersey, the greatest threat to haul-out sites and the seals that use them is disturbance from humans.  Seals are exceptionally sensitive to disturbances while they are hauled-out on land. Motor boats, kayakers, unleashed dogs, and overhead aircraft can send a whole colony back to the relative safety of the water.  Any observations of seals should be done at a minimum distance of 50 yards)

In Sandy Hook Bay this winter, around 40 Harbor Seals have been popping out of the bay shortly before low tide to rest and relax after a night of foraging for food. During some low tides events, more than 80 seals have been seen hauled out here.

Meanwhile, often times people are nearby armed with binoculars and cameras. Sometimes people try to get to close to the seals or people walking their dogs will scare the seals and suddenly all the seals will quickly jump back into the water. Overzealous visitors to the bay side of the Sandy Hook peninsula are inadvertently stressing out the seals by getting too close.

(Haul out sites are important to protect and preserve. People need to keep away from resting seals and not try to harass or get close)

I think it is time for people to understand that we going to have to adapt to dealing with a winter population of seals in Sandy Hook Bay and limit our expose to certain beaches and sandy spots on the bay side of Sandy Hook NRA.  This might mean we will have to close off specific areas during the winter, as we try to balance access with important wildlife habitat at the same time as more and more seals start to call Sandy Hook Bay home during the winter.

Seals were once hunted and considered pests in our society, but in 1972 the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act made it a crime to injure or harass seals and other marine mammals in US waters. So, when watching seals stay back about 300 feet in order to prevent unnecessary stress and abandonment of their haul out or basking sites. Approaching seals can cause them to feel threatened.

(Studies have shown that human disturbance has a large impact on harbor seal haul-out behavior. Increased education and clear regulations are needed as a first step in reducing the impact of people on Harbor seals along the Jersey Shore.)

To report a sighting of a seal or if a seal appears injured, sick, or disorientated and in need of help, keep your distance and report it to your local police department or directly to the NJ Marine Mammal Stranding Center at 609-266- 0538. Since 1978, The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, a private, non-profit organization, has responded to over 3,450 strandings of whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles that have washed ashore over the years. Donations and membership dollars are vital to their support and care for injured marine mammals and sea turtles. Your support will help the facility to expand and to care for the increasing number of animals. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.marinemammalstrandingcenter.org/main.htm

Sandy Hook Bay is actually full of life during the winter that we don’t see the rest of the year, from loons and gannetts to eiders and buffleheads. Yet, perhaps the sight of a seal basking on a sandy beach best reminds us of the close connection to the beauty and significance of the Atlantic Ocean, and just how vital this environment is to a vast diversity of wonderful wildlife.