Seal pupping season not as active as previous years

(KION) Seal pupping season is in full swing on the Monterey Peninsula, but there aren’t as many baby seals expected this year.

The season kicked off about two weeks ago, and is almost over. The season typically lasts through the end of may.

Thom Akeman with Bay Net says, “It has gone very quickly. We’ve got about 40 pups on the beach right now, and there are only a few left to go.”

The seal population has been steadily decreasing over the years in Monterey County. They hit their peak back in 2014, with 100 newborn pups. Last year there were about 60 pups born. Bay Net volunteers are only expecting 50 pups to be born this season.

“It has to do with food, basically. There are several reasons but the primary reason is probably the lack of food in the bay and that has to do with the warming water. That is just another example of climate change,” says Akeman.

Along with less food, the warmer water means more sharks are in the bay… and they feed on those seals.

While we social distance ourselves to protect people, it’s also a good idea to keep our distance from the seals. 

Akeman says, “The police have broken up at least one gathering and have come for at least one couple who went down on the beach and didn’t want to come back around the protective fencing.”

A good way to enjoy the seals from a distance, is hopping on the Harbor Seals of Pacific Grove facebook page!

While the numbers are down next this year, Bay Net volunteers are crossing their fingers for next year.