538 



population of 1000 seals and a yearly addition to future breeding stocks of 100 

 pups might be exix>cted. 



Artificial predation pressures on this seal population, however, appear to be 

 substantial. The great-est predation pressure appears to be the taking of pups in 

 about the first month of life for public entertainment and amusement "i)arks" 

 and for biomedical, physiological and other research purposes. In addition it is 

 kno%^Ti by this investigator that seals are shot by fishermen as a nuisance to the 

 few remaining weir fishing interests in the area. Although most lobster fishermen 

 will claim that seals prey on shedding lobsters it api>ears that few bother to 

 actually shoot seals. This form of predation appears to be much less at present 

 than in past years. The shooting of seals "just for sport" has probably also 

 declined greatly in recent years although there are scattered reports of indis- 

 criminate shooting at seals for no good reason. 



It remains to be seen in this investigation what other artificial predation 

 pressures such as pollution effects (which may be quite limited in this study 

 area) and the increa.singly effective fi.shing technologies may have on the seal 

 population. Most lobst*ermen and "shrimpers" feel that their own industry is 

 being "over fished" and that some measures must be taken to preserve the 

 natural si>awning grounds and SI>a^^^ling stocks of the finfish to insure a sustained 

 yield for the industry. If such a decline in fish is real then an additional threat 

 to the seal population may be real. 



The habits of the Harbor and Grey seals are closely tied to the tide cycle with 

 most hunting activity taking place on the incoming and high tide and resting, 

 sunning and sleeping activities taking place liauled out on sunning ledges ; u.sually 

 half-tide ledges or small islands offshore or in more remote areas of the bays and 

 estuaries. Preferred ledges are of gentle slope, seaweed covered and remote from 

 boat traflSc and intense lobst^ring activity. Seals are verj' wary of approaching 

 people, especially when in unfamiliar boats. This reveals the seal's thorough 

 understanding of man's long-standing predatory role. It is only the very young 

 pup of less than two weeks that seems unafraid to approach man and is quickly 

 discouraged from doing so by its mother. All seals are quite curious, however, 

 and enjoy cavorting and playfully encircling and diving near the investigator's 

 boat. 



Changes in distribution of the populations of both species is not well docu- 

 mented now but does appear to involve some seasonal movement offshore in 

 colder months and a consolidation of smaller herds or colonies foUox^ang the 

 pupping season. 



In summary, only initial hypotheses and preliminarj' data can be given to a 

 quite complex picture of the status of seals in this area of the Maine coast. 

 There has been growing concern recently in this area for the welfare and preser- 

 vation of seals and a growing consciousness that deterioration of the environment 

 in the form of harbor iX)llution and "human erosion" of wildlands must be curbed. 

 This new consciousness should prove valuable in the mounting effort to preserve 

 wildlife. At present the seal population about Acadia National Park is probably 

 not in immediate danger of extinction. But given the ever-present natural pre- 

 dation pressures and the ever-increasing artificial predation pressures by man 

 the seal population might best be termed as "highly vulnerable" at present. In 

 this investigator's opinion seals are important in their own right and are of 

 immense interest and joy to visitors and residents of Maine. Some form of 

 protection and possibly a future management policy is needed to insure the 

 continuance of this highly fascinating and endearing member of Maine's diverse 

 fauna. 



Respectfully submitted. 



David T. Richakdson. 



Department of the Navt, 

 Xaval Undersea Research and Development Center, 



San Diego, Calif., September 15, 1971. 

 Hon. John Dingell, 

 House Office Building, 

 Washington, B.C. 



Dear Representative Dingell: I am writing you regarding the various bills 

 for the protection of marine mammals on which you are currently holding 

 hearings. 



As a principal in the initial development of the Navy's marine mammal facil- 

 ity and research program at Point Mugu, California, I am concerned about the 



