By ohtadmin, The Jamestown Press
Volunteers with Save The Bay counted 755 seals living in Rhode Island during the annual census to determine the population of the marine mammal.
The 17-year tradition continued March 27 with 43 volunteers counting 551 seals in Narragansett Bay. That is the most since 572 were tallied in 2019 and 85 percent (298) more than 2024. The remaining 204 were tallied around Block Island, which is the highest since that area joined the count in 2019.
July Lewis, who manages internships and volunteers for the environmental watchdog group, said organizers schedule the count at the height of the season when ideal weather conditions are forecast.
“Despite the breezy conditions, the seals were out there enjoying the sun, reflected in a well-above average number,” she said. “Our community scientists’ efforts are pivotal as we continue our work to better understand these important and iconic animals.”
The count is part of the monitoring program conducted annually from September through May when harbor seals typically visit local waters. The population is usually highest in March and April before the seals migrate to northern waters to have their babies. Because boating slows down in the colder weather, herring migrate into the bay and attract the official marine mammal of Rhode Island. Grey seals, spotted rarely in the bay, can be found in coastal waters off Block Island year-round.
The harbor seal plays an essential role in the bay’s ecology as a top predator species, Lewis said.
“While the harbor seal population in the Bay seems to be relatively stable, our volunteer monitoring efforts indicate an increasing number of gray seals on Block Island,” she said. “This will be an interesting trend to watch in years to come.”
While Rhode Island’s seals are a delight to watch on the water or land, human observers sometimes inadvertently put stress on seals, frightening them off their resting spots and causing them to lose precious energy. What may seem like a minor disturbance is a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits the killing, taking or harassing of marine mammals…
Click here to read the rest of the article on The Jamestown Press.