Share the Shore: Watch Marine Mammals Responsibly
Share the shore with seals and sea lions. Bring your binoculars and enjoy them from a safe distance to protect their health, and yours.
In the age of selfies and social media, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of being close to wildlife and sharing photos. For seals and sea lions that rest on our beaches, close encounters with people can be harmful. Continued disturbances may interfere with important survival behaviors, or cause mothers to abandon their pups.
You’re too close to an animal if it starts to stare, fidget, or flee into the water. Even if you don't see these reactions, keep yourself and your pets at least 100 yards (the length of a football field) from seals and sea lions to make sure you're not disrupting important behavior, such as resting, feeding, nursing, or breeding.
Remember, it is a violation of federal law to harass seals and sea lions.
Share the shore with seals and sea lions. Bring your binoculars and enjoy them from a safe viewing distance to protect their health and yours.
General Resources
Share the Shore Brochure
Marine Mammals viewing guidelines & ID Guide (PDF, 2 pages)
FAQs: Elephant Seals (PDF, 2 pages)
FAQs: California Sea Lions (PDF, 2 pages)
FAQs: Do Not Feed Marine Mammals (PDF, 2 pages)
No Selfies with Seals postcard
No Selfies with Seals poster
Harbor Seals
- FAQs: Harbor Seals (PDF, 2 pages)
- FAQs: Harbor Seal Pups (PDF, 1 page)
- FAQs: Lanugo Harbor Seal Pups
- Puget Sound Science of Seal Monitoring video
- Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife Sealcam
- Print your own Share the Shore sign (PDF, 1 page)
