Welfare of Harbor Seals at Haul-Out Sites

Harbor seals haul out on beaches and rocks to rest, thermoregulate, and nurse pups, and human disturbance at these sites causes significant welfare harm.

Key Facts

Harbor seals must haul out to rest, nurse pups, and thermoregulate
Pups cannot swim well and depend entirely on their mothers during nursing
Human approach causes flush responses requiring seals to enter the water
Nursing pups flushed from beaches may fail to receive adequate milk
Harbor seals in the US are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act

Welfare Considerations

Harbor seals disturbed at haul-out sites experience repeated acute stress responses. Nursing pups flushed from beaches expend energy that should go to growth. Mother-pup bond disruption can cause pup abandonment. Repeated disturbance prevents the extended resting needed for digestion and energy recovery. Dogs allowed to chase seals cause injury and potentially fatal trauma. The cumulative effect of tourist and recreational pressure on popular haul-out sites reduces seal welfare significantly.

What You Can Do

Stay 100 meters from harbor seal haul-out sites
Keep dogs leashed or away from beaches where seals are present
Report disturbance of marine mammals to NOAA or local wildlife agencies
Educate other beachgoers about keeping distance from hauled-out seals