Saving the Gray Seal

Over the last few centuries, gray seals were hunted in great numbers. Many populations declined. While gray seals were historically harvested mostly for subsistence and furs, bounty hunting became more prevalent as gray seals were thought to feed on and spread disease to commercially important fish species (e.g., cod). Though still culled by humans in Canada and other areas, many of these populations have bounced back and are continuing to grow, (NOAA).

Gray Seals are protected under international laws as well as the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act passed in 1972. Click here to read more about the MMPA.

See the Gray Seals on the Live Cam later this month and now in the early days of cam testing!