Seal Life in San Francisco

(NOAA).

Whenever I’m in San Francisco, I can’t help but notice the noisy, sunning clumps of seals and sea lions. They’re like unexpected roommates, laid-back, a little smelly, but most definitely  charming. So here’s what I’ve learned about them, and how they’re doing out there.

Seal Basics

In San Francisco, we’ve got two main marine mammal groups on show:

-Harbor seals, a true seal species (Phoca vitulina richardii), hang around year-round in places like Golden Gate and Point Reyes. There are a few hundred near the Golden Gate and over 7,000 at Point Reyes, making it one of the most packed seal rookeries in California.

-Then there are California sea lions, the flamboyant “eared seals” that powerfully bark and lounge on docks at spots like Pier 39 and Seal Rocks.

Why Are There So Many?

The big turnaround started after the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, which helped harbor seal numbers bounce back and stabilize.

Sea lions made Pier 39 their cozy hangout in the early 1990s, right after the Loma Prieta earthquake emptied out docks, and they moved in. Now, some stick around year-round while others show up in big waves during their feeding and migration seasons.

These days, it’s not unusual to see hundreds, even over a thousand sea lions piling onto the docks at once, especially when anchovies flood the bay. In spring 2024, the number peaked around 1,700 which is one of the highest counts in 15 years!

Are They Healthy?

Mostly, yes, but not without challenges. Harbor seals have been pretty stable population-wise, but they can still be affected by things like disease, changes in food availability, human disturbance, and even rising sea levels.

Castro Rocks, one of SF Bay’s key haul-out areas, is also a pollution hotspot. Researchers have found elevated levels of toxic chemicals like DDT, PCBs, mercury, and PFAS in seals from that area.

The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito plays a big role here. Since 1975, it’s rescued and rehabilitated over 24,000 marine mammals, mostly sea lions, harbor seals, and elephant seals. Many of them are treated for things like malnutrition, disease, or plastic entanglement, and then released back into the wild.

Are They Struggling or Thriving?

Honestly, I’d say they’re mostly thriving, but it’s a mixed picture.

On the bright side, the growing populations of harbor seals and sea lions show these animals are adapting well to protected life in the Bay. And across the water, at the Farallon Islands, northern fur seal pups hit record high numbers, a testament to decades of conservation efforts.

At the same time, environmental pressures, like pollution, climate shifts, and human traffic still weigh on their health. And we’ve got to stay active.

How You Can Help

1. Keep your distance: Never approach or feed seals or sea lions. Let them rest without disturbance.

2. Support rescue and research groups. Donations or volunteer efforts for places like the Marine Mammal Center go a long way.

3. Mind your trash. Reducing plastic waste, picking up litter, and recycling helps keep their habitat clean.

4. Spread the word. Let others know how awesome seals are and why giving them space matters.

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about watching these creatures thriving alongside us in the city. Even more amazing considering they were recovering from near extinction just decades ago. With protection, Big City seals can teach us that wildlife and urban life can find a balance, if we’re willing to be good neighbors.

Sources:

"California Sea Lion." NOAA Fisheries, www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/california-sea-lion?utm_.

"Pinniped Monitoring." National Park Service, www.nps.gov/im/sfan/pinnipeds.htm?utm_.

"SEA LIONS CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF ROARING FUN AT PIER 39." Pier 39, pier39.com/sealions/?utm_.

Singh, Maavnvi. "Pier pressure: more than 1,000 sea lions assemble at San Francisco dockside." The Guardian, 2 May 2024, www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/may/02/sea-lions-san-francisco-pier-39?utm_.