Since 1987 the Whale Center of New England has been informally doing Seal Surveys (update thru 03/'06). The most commonly sighted seal in this area of the Atlantic Ocean is the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina), though we occasionally do see other species. Until 1991 harbor seals were counted by the staff at various locations around Cape Ann only a few times a year. In 1991 that all changed with a noticeable increase in the number of seals present during late fall through early spring. It was then decided to have a dedicated survey, once a week, to count the number of seals at these haul out sites. During these outings, local weather and sea conditions are also noted.
 We have been fortunate to also see other seal species that are not common in this area, such as in the spring of 2002, the winter of 2000-1, and the winter of 1998-9. We also have done several seal rescues involving stranded animals, including prominent ones in 2001 and 2002, and the winter of 2002-2003.
Harbor seals are members of the Family Phocidae, or the "true seals." All true seals have no protruding external ears, and also cannot stand on their hind flippers like the other main Family Otariidae, e.g., sea lions and fur seals. Harbor seals summer in Northern Maine to Southern Canada in the western North Atlantic, where they mate and bear a single pup that is weaned in about four to six weeks time. In the winter months they move south to the warmer waters, including those around Cape Ann and Cape Cod. While here, they feed on the abundance of local fish, such as cod, herring, flounder and sand eels. They also like to rest and sun themselves during low tide where they can haul out on the rocks. This is the ideal time to count the seals and record our observations. On this page we will update our sightings weekly so you and your class can follow along with us and you can do your own research! The local map will show where the observation sites that we monitor, and you can reproduce this map and post it in your class with weekly updates.
 Some suggestions for possible research topics could be:
- The change in seal sightings from different time periods, i.e., weekly, monthly or year to year;
- Look into reasons why seals will haul out at certain areas and not others;
- Look into reasons why seals will haul out at certain times (such as high or low tide);
- How much does the local weather play a factor?
- Does the wind direction make a difference in where the seals haul out?
- Try using our map of Gloucester Harbor to show how the location can affect the seals;
- What is the geological significance of Cape Ann or Gloucester Harbor?
Research Site Descriptions: (click any location below for site data or local image)
- Gloucester Breakwater - A rocky stone wall at the entrance to Gloucester Harbor (data ends February 2001).
- Rocky Neck - Site is at the beginning of the inner harbor with one small sandy beach and a few small rocks in the water. (data ends March 1998)
- Fish Pier - Deep in the inner harbor with lots of commercial and private boat traffic. Many fish factories here.
- Half-Moon Beach - Medium sized sandy/rocky beach with a few big rocks 50 meters from shore.
- West Gloucester Harbor - Observation point is overlooking 6-8 big rocks that are 40 meters from the shore.
- Brace's Cove - Sandy beach cove facing the southeast near the southern end of East Gloucester (data starts March 2001).
- Kettle Island - Rocky island near the western shore of the outer harbor (data starts March 2003).
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Map Close Up
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Other Resources:
 These resources are both interesting and informative:
- Recent Article Online
- The Pinnipeds: Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses, by Marianne Riedman, 1991.
- Seals (Our Wild World), by Wayne Lynch, John F. McGee, 2002.
- The Seal Conservation Society website, with the aim of protecting and conserving pinnipeds, provides information on pinniped species.
- The Marine Mammal Center website, a leading rehabilitation facility for seals and other marine mammals.
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