Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries Service
Office for Law Enforcement
- Southwest Division

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 24, 2006

NOAA WARNS CALIFORNIA BEACH-GOERS NOT TO DISTURB SEAL PUPS

NOAA Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement is reminding visitors of Northern California beaches that handling baby seals is both illegal and is possibly fatal to seals. During summer months, seals utilize specific shoreline locations as resting places called haul-outs. Haul-outs are also a common area for pupping, but a female seal may give birth anywhere there is easy access to the waters edge.

In April 2006, there were four reported incidents involving humans removing seal pups from Northern California beaches. According to special agent Dave Reilly, NOAA Fisheries Service’s Office for Law Enforcement - Southwest Division, two of these incidents led to $100 fines.

“Beach patrons often believe they are helping the animal or can keep the pup as a pet; however, pups separated from their mother will not survive,” said Reilly. “Handled seals require hand feeding by the local Marine Mammal Rescue Center which can still result in an 80 percent chance of death.”

Although they may appear stranded, sick, injured or abandoned, these marine mammals are usually just resting on shore. Special agent-in-charge Donald Masters of the Southwest Division of NOAA’s OLE wants to remind people to enjoy watching seals from a safe and responsible distance to protect the health and safety of both the animals and humans.

If California beach-goers find a seal entangled, struck by a vehicle or boat, or otherwise visibly injured, NOAA Fisheries Service requests that they contact the Marine Mammal Rescue Center at (707)465-6265.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 protects seals, sea lions and all species of marine mammals. Under the Act, it is illegal to harass or feed marine mammals in the wild. Violations of the Act can result in civil penalties of up to $12,000 and criminal fines of up to $20,000 and jail time.

NOAA Fisheries Seal/Sea Lion Watching Guidelines recommend that people observe the animals from a safe distance of at least 50 yards, limit viewing time to 30 minutes or less, avoid making loud noises or abrupt movements, and keep pets on a leash.
To report illegal marine mammal harassment contact the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Enforcement Hot Line at 800-853-1964.
NOAA Fisheries Service is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitats through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries Service provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, over 60 countries and the European Commission to develop a global network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.