Harbor Seals at Sandy Hook NJ - 19 - a photo on Flickriver

Harbor Seals in New Jersey

Seals occur along the New Jersey coastline primarily between the months of November through April. The harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) is the most common seal found in New Jersey. Other species of seals found in the state include the larger gray seal (Halichoerus grypus), the harp seal (Pagophilus groenlandica), and the least common, the hooded seal (Cystophora cristata). While none of the seal species found here are classified as endangered or threatened, they are all protected under the Federal Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) of 1972.

New Jersey's Major Seal Haul-out Sites

Haul-out areas (where seals come onto land) are important to seals as they offer a place to rest and escape from marine predators. New Jersey has the largest seal haul-out site on the US Atlantic coast south of eastern Long Island, NY and is home to four species of seal, which may be observed foraging offshore or hauled-out on beaches and marsh primarily between the months of November through April. The most common seal species present in New Jersey is the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina), but gray seals (Halichoerus grypus), harp seals (Pagophilus groenlandica), and hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) also visit in smaller numbers during the winter.

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ staff have been monitoring seals at the state’s largest haul-out sites in order to document baseline abundance, habitat use, and disturbance. 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. Each return to the water costs seals much needed energy and could lead them to abandon a site.

There are other reasons to remain at a distance from seals in New Jersey. Seals may look cute, like big fin-footed puppies, but they can be very dangerous and should not be approached. Seals have a powerful bite and their mouths contain enough bacteria to guarantee a nasty infection (and possible loss of fingers, hands, or life). It is against the law to approach a wild seal, touch, feed or harass it.

Any observations of seals should be done at a minimum distance of 50 yards. Outreach and education regarding the habitat needs of seals and safe viewing distances is a major component in minimizing disturbance.

For more info: conservewildlife.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapJournal/index.ht...

Taken in: United States / New Jersey / Monmouth (show map)

Taken on: March 1, 2016

Tags:

Common Seal

Gateway National Recreation Area

Haul-out

Herd of Seals

Jersey Shore

Marine Mammals

Monmouth County

Navesink River

Nikon AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR

Nikon D610

Phoca vitulina

Pinniped

Sandy Hook

Seal

Spermaceti Cove

Wildlife

Wildlife Photography

Highlands

New Jersey

United States

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Sets appears in: • Harbor Seals at Sandy Hook NJ | 2016

Groups appears in: • Marine Mammals • Wildlife Photography more » • New Jersey - The Garden State • Flickr New Jersey • Jersey Shore • NJ - MONMOUTH COUNTY • NJ - NEW JERSEY • Sandy Hook, New Jersey • The Nature Conservancy • New Jersey Photos • Wild New Jersey • New Jersey - Photographers, Semi-Pro & Amateurs • Mother Nature (At her best) • New Jersey________YEAH! • New Jersey Wildlife • National Wildlife Magazine Photo Group • Endangered Wildlife of New Jersey • Wonderful Photos :) P1 - C3 - No People! • NJ Outdoors • Audubon magazine • Nikon Nature • Nikon D600/D610 CLUB • flickr clickx • PLANETA ANIMAL • Nikkor AF-S 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR « less

Camera: Nikon D610, f/5.6, 1/1000 sec, 500mm, ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Nikon D610
Lens:	200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6
Aperture:	f/5.6
Exposure Time:	0.001 sec (1/1000)
Focal Length:	500mm
ISO:	500
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Spot
White Balance:	Auto
Gain Control:	Low gain up
Color Space:	Uncalibrated
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 6.4 (Macintosh)
Show full info

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