Join us for a week-long celebration of seals and other pinnipeds and get the scoop on NOAA's seal conservation efforts.
Join us for Seal Week, August 29–September 2, 2022, to learn more about the many different seal species we manage, protect, and study. Find out why seals are sentinels for ocean health and climate change. Explore the features below to learn about NOAA’s conservation efforts and methods.
6 Ways We Study Seals and Sea Lions
When it comes to studying seals and seal lions, these methods get a “seal of approval” from our scientists.
How we study seals and sea lions
During this week-long celebration, we are highlighting pinniped science, conservation, and management. Pinnipeds are a group of marine mammals that include seals, sea lions, and walruses. Unlike cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds spend time on land to socialize, care for their young, and avoid predators. As such, they are often the species of marine mammal most seen on our shores. All pinnipeds are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and some are also listed under the Endangered Species Act.
See more about the science, conservation, and management of seals and sea lions
Conserving Hawaiian Monk Seals Through Protections and Vaccinations
NOAA scientists are vaccinating endangered Hawaiian monk seals against a strain of morbillivirus. They’ve completed 700 successful vaccinations—that’s nearly half the population. It’s the world’s first attempt to protect this wild marine mammal from a deadly outbreak.
Conserving and protecting Hawaiian monk seals
Hawaiian Monk Seal Updates
Get the latest monk seal updates—including new pups, relocations, and seal rescues—from NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Islands.
Hawaiian monk seal updates
An Isolated Population of Antarctic Fur Seals Could Save the Species, but They’re Disappearing
Losing fur seals from the South Shetland Islands means losing crucial genetic diversity the species may need to adapt to rapid climate change.
Isolated population of Antarctic fur seals
Condition of Seals Declined During Rapid Warming in Alaska
A new study finds quantitative evidence of climate-related impacts on these typically adaptable, resilient predators.
14 Seal Secrets
Check out some facts about these semi-aquatic marine mammals.
See 14 seal secrets
More Fun Facts about Surprising Seals
Want to know more about those cute bewhiskered seals? Look no further!
Check out seal facts
Studying Northern Fur Seals in Remote Alaska
Scientists plan to further test drones to help conduct their research more efficiently.
Studying northern fur seals in remote Alaska
Please, No Selfies with the Seals: 6 Ways to View Wildlife Responsibly
Although it can be tempting to try to get close to marine animals, it’s always best to view them from a safe and respectful distance for their safety—and yours. Learning how to interact with and observe ocean animals can help you make the right decisions when you encounter them by water, land, or air.
6 Ways to View Wildlife Responsibly
Explore the story map, which shows seal strandings in the Greater Atlantic Region and highlights the organizations that provide emergency response and rehabilitation for stranded seals.
Sharing seal space by the sea shore story map
Unusual Mortality Events
NOAA scientists also learn about pinnipeds when they are injured, sick, or dead. To understand the health of marine mammal populations, scientists study Unusual Mortality Events. Learn more about the two recent, ongoing pinniped unusual mortality events below.
2022 Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event along the Maine Coast
Since June 2022, elevated numbers of harbor seal and gray seal mortalities have occurred across the southern and central coast of Maine. This event has been declared an unusual mortality event.
2022 Pinniped Unusual Mortality Event
Since June 1, 2018, elevated ice seal strandings have occurred in the Bering and Chukchi seas in Alaska. This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event.
Original source can be found here.
