Department of Commerce NOAA Fisheries
Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2004

Stranded seal death under investigation

On December 26, 2003, an injured harbor seal was found washed up on the beach in Ocean City, Md.

The seal was found with sustained injuries to both its neck and mouth, and taken to the National Aquarium in Baltimore for treatment. The emaciated seal died several days later. X-Rays of the seal revealed several pellets of bird shot in the upper neck and face area.

"Instances of mammal shootings along the Maryland coast are rare." said Special Agent Steve Niemi, NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement - Northeast Division in the Berlin (Md) Field Office. A case of this type has not been reported to my office in several years. We take these cases very seriously."

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is asking that anyone with information about this incident to call the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) at 1-800-853-1964, or locally call Special Agent Niemi at 410-629-1258.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement, and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitat. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries, please visit http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov