Harbour Seal - Sierra Club BC
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Harbour Seal

CAN BE FOUND IN:

Harbour Seal

Phoca vitulina

Appearance

Harbour seals are medium-sized marine mammals with sleek, spotted coats that can range from silvery grey to dark brown. They have large dark eyes, small ear openings, and short front flippers. Unlike sea lions, they lack external ear flaps and move on land by wriggling their bellies. Adult harbour seals can grow up to 1.5 metres long and weigh up to 150 kilograms. 

Range & Habitat

Harbour seals are found along the coasts of the North Pacific and North Atlantic Oceans. In British Columbia, they live throughout coastal waters, including the Strait of Georgia, the outer coast, and inlets. They haul out on rocks, sandbars, and beaches to rest, molt, and give birth. These seals depend on clean, productive coastal ecosystems rich in fish and sheltered areas for pupping. 

Reciprocal relationships

Harbour seals play an important role in marine food webs. They eat a variety of fish such as herring, salmon, and cod, helping to maintain balanced fish populations. In turn, they are prey for transient orcas and sharks. 

These seals are gifted in communication! They are social animals that thrive in large groups called rafts. Seals make many noises, with different purposes, whether it be warning off predators, trying to find a potential mate, or for a pup to find its mother. These seals love to play around together and, because of their playful nature, are often referred to as sea-dogs.  

For coastal First Nations, seals have long been an important source of food, oil, and clothing. Their presence also signals healthy marine ecosystems. Harbour seals are curious but cautious around humans. It is important to respect their haul-out sites, which help protect their pups and keep them safe from stress and disturbance. 

Status

COSEWIC: Not at Risk 
CDC: Yellow 

More information

If you belong to a First Nation with a story or piece of information not represented here and you would like to share more about this species, please email us at education@sierraclub.bc.ca

photo credit

Sander Jain

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