To the Editor and Readers:
I’m writing this letter to ask for your assistance in reducing what has become a frequent and significant problem with vessels near the seal haul-out area at Cupsogue Beach, an extensive sandbar just east of Moriches Inlet.
For almost 2 decades, harbor seals, gray seals, and others have been using the sandbar north of the channel from November through May for resting and socializing (a behavior called hauling-out). They typically begin to haul-out onto the sandbar about three hours before dead-low tide, and will remain there, if undisturbed, for about six hours, until the sandbar is inundated. Rest on the sandbar is important, especially for pregnant and molting seals.
Seals are marine mammals, and as such are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), and harbor seals are protected by New York Environmental Conservation Law § 11-0107. The MMPA defines harassment as:
“… any act of pursuit, torment, or annoyance which—
(i) has the potential to injure a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild; or
(ii) has the potential to disturb a marine mammal or marine mammal stock in the wild by causing disruption of behavioral patterns, including, but not limited to, migration, breathing, nursing, breeding, feeding, or sheltering.”
Over the past years, we have witnessed too many instances of seals being harassed by people on vessels. In most instances, but not all, the harassment was unintentional, but harassment nonetheless. (In some instances, the harassment was quite intentional.) Harassment, if documented and reported to federal and state authorities, can result in significant penalties of perhaps as much as $20,000.00 per “take.” By the way, each disturbed seal is a “take.” Therefore, the persons we documented purposefully harassing 84 resting harbor seals might be subject to a painful fine.
Harassment of resting seals is entirely avoidable and this is where I am asking for your help. If you see seals resting on a haul-out, please do not approach them. Continue on your course past the seals at a speed that will allow you to move quickly while also keeping an eye out for any seals in the water. Avoid loud noises or erratic movements that might flush the seals from the haulout. Never approach them with kayaks, either. They are often more readily spooked by kayaks, which travel at the speeds of seals’ natural predators.
I shouldn’t have to say don’t beach your vessel on the haulout site and get out and walk around, but I’ve seen people do it. I’ve seen folks take their dogs onto the site after scaring away the seals; I’ve seen two idiots get out with shotguns and begin skeet shooting after scaring off the seals.
It’s only a few who have had such callous disregard for nature, but those are a few too many. Let’s all work to avoid disturbance and be appreciative of the presence of these sentinel species — they give us an indication of ecosystem health.
Please share this with your friends and colleagues. PLEASE give seals the space and protection from harm that they deserve.
Sincerely,
Arthur H. Kopelman, Ph.D.
President, CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island), Inc.
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus
President, CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island), Inc.
SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus
www.cresli.org
Photo copyright Dr. Artie Kopelman for CRESLI
