Things that you can do...

There are things that we can all do to help protect and preserve the harbor seals that are found in S.F. Bay.  If you use a boat in the Bay for fishing, sightseeing, etc., give the seals some room whenever you are near a haul out site such as Castro Rocks or Yerba Buena Island.  The minimum distance recommended by NMFS is 100 yards (a football field length); seals are more sensitive to disturbances within this 100 yard "comfort zone".  Harbor seals, unlike the male California sea lions seen at Pier 39 in San Francisco, are highly sensitive to disturbance by humans (noise, etc.).  Seals are particularly sensitive to jet skis and kayaks, which tend to approach haul out areas more closely than larger vessels.  Despite being quiet and relatively environmentally friendly, kayaks are one of the most common causes of seal 'flushes'. A 'flush' in harbor seals occurs when seals are disturbed to the point where they move rapidly off the haul out into the water.  Distance is the key; please observe seals from a distance, using binoculars or a spotting scope.  If we observe these guidelines, seals will continue to be a part of the Bay community.  In addition, harassment of marine mammals (such as causing seals to 'flush') is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and is punishable by fines.

NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) has a great new web page with more information about viewing marine mammals and our effects on them, should we get too close:

If you walk, hike or jog in an area near where seals haul out, please give the animals as much distance as possible (again, the minimum distance is 100 yards).  If the seals are watching you, you are too close.  Always keep dogs on lead in wildlife areas (dogs have been known to kill harbor seal pups).  Keeping noise levels low when near wildlife is also helpful, as seals (and many other species) are highly sensitive to noise.  Harbor seals have been known to abandon a haul out area due to continued moderate to high levels of human disturbance; Strawberry Spit in San Francisco Bay is an area where this happened.

There are a number of organizations that work to protect the marine ecosystem of the Bay, and the wetlands that are found on the shoreline.  If you are interested in volunteering with, contributing to, or just learning more about these organizations, the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (SFBNWR) has a great page with many links to explore.  SFBNWR is a great place to visit, hike, birdwatch, and learn about the Bay.  One of our study sites (Mowry Slough) is located within this Refuge.  The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA, often needs volunteers for hands-on care of stranded marine mammals; there are similar wildlife rehabilitation facilities all over the country.

One of the most important things that people could do to help protect the environment is to inform your representative in Congress that you care.  We have included this link to contact your congressional representatives.  The best way to change the world is to tell people that you want to make a difference.  Many of the laws and services having to do with the protection of marine mammals and marine habitat are administered by NOAA Fisheries (the  National Marine Fishery Service).

If you see a seal in distress, or a harbor seal pup that appears to be alone and abandoned, please DO NOT approach or interfere with the animal in any way.  Often, seal pups that appear to be abandoned are in fact waiting for their mothers to return from a hunting expedition; if you are in the area of the pup, the mother will not return.  Mothers will often wait offshore until humans have left the area before returning to the pup, and may abandon the pup if harassed to a sufficient degree.  Seal pups that are "rescued" by well-meaning individuals sometimes die due to starvation or overheating, because their "rescuers" are not trained in marine mammal care.  Others end up in a rehabilitation center unnecessarily.

The photo above shows seals in a rehabilitation facility; health permitting, these seals will be rereleased to the wild.

In the event that you see a seal that appears to be in trouble, immediately contact your local marine mammal rehabilitation center, who will send out trained staff to help the animal whenever possible or necessary. If you are in California, the following numbers may be helpful.  For the San Francisco Bay Area (including from San Luis Obispo to Mendocino), contact The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, at 415-289-SEAL.  For San Diego County, contact Sea World, at 800/541-7325.  In Orange County, Friends of the Sea Lion at 714/494-3050.  In Los Angeles County, call the Marine Mammal Care Center at 310/548-5677.  In Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties, Santa Barbara Marine Mammal Center at 805/687-3255.

You can get more info on how to deal with stranded marine mammals by visiting the NOAA Fisheries Office of Protected Resources, which has a section on "What to do if you encounter a stranded marine mammal" on their web page, or by calling NMFS:
    In Silver Springs, Maryland, at 301/713-2322
    The California stranding coordinator at 562/980-4017
    24-hr Enforcement Hotline at 800/853-1964
 

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