West Seattle continues to be a hotbed for seal activity. Up to 9 seals a day have been using the shoreline and docks at Jack Block Park. Volunteers have been educating the public that undisrupted, stress-free rest is critical to seal pups’ survival (with a 50% mortality rate their first year).

Considered an animal at the top of the food chain, harbor seals are also prey animals (sharks, transient orcas). As seal pups get older, they become increasingly aware of their surroundings. With excellent hearing, even people talking quietly nearby can cause undue stress or cause them to abandon the shoreline and unnecessarily expend energy back in the water. This is why NOAA recommends a minimum 100 yard distance when observing marine mammals. However, in an urban environment that is not always possible. Seal Sitters makes every effort to give harbor seals (and sea lions) the space they need to rest on shore, yet not terribly inconveniencing the public - a real challenge in a major metropolitan area. Many of the pups at Jack Block, an estimated 4-6 months old, are less than 75 feet from viewing areas. Some of the pups are thriving and others are struggling with respiratory issues and low body weight. All need to rest and warm up.