The banners are back: ‘Share the Shore’ with wildlife

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Another sign of the season: David Hutchinson from Seal Sitters shares the photo and report on their banners’ annual arrival on Alki:

Seal Sitters would like to thank Seattle Parks & Recreation for installing our “Share the Shore” banners along Alki Avenue again this year. A special thanks to Parks’ employee, James Lohman, who has been responsible for handling this the past several years.

Harbor seal pups are born from June – September in south Puget Sound and Seal Sitters’ busiest time of year are the months of September and October when they “haul out” on our West Seattle beaches. They are protected by federal law, so if you come across one of these vulnerable pups, please remember the following: stay back, keep people and pets away, and call your local stranding network – for West Seattle beaches, that would be Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 206-905-SEAL (7325). For all other beaches, please call the NOAA Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.

Seal Sitters is a member of NOAA’s West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

That means they are the people to call if you spot ANY marine mammal onshore, or in potential trouble just offshore, not just seals; they were the first responders for the Fauntleroy humpback whale one month ago.

Jeannie September 6, 2016 (9:32 pm)

Thank you for the wonderful work you do, Seal Sitters!

wssz September 7, 2016 (12:29 am)

Is that the same David Hutchinson whose exquisite nature photos you
feature frequently on your daily calendars?

WSB September 7, 2016 (1:15 am)

Yes!

Alki Boy September 7, 2016 (6:48 pm)

The banners are nice, and the Seal Sitters do great work. My only concern is that the banners do not make clear what ‘share the shore’ means. Many people are simply ignorant to what the laws are regarding disturbing marine mammals, and these banners are no help. What’s worse, they may even mislead some morons into thinking Alki is a great place to go if they’re looking for a maritime petting zoo.

Then again, I could be wrong. I hope I am.

Alex September 7, 2016 (6:57 pm)

Wait, but isn’t the whole point of seal sitters to remind people NOT to share the shore with seals? To instead stay far, far away from them?

WSB September 7, 2016 (7:49 pm)

Sharing the shore means space for everybody. If there’s a seal on Alki, the entire shore from Alki Point to Duwamish Head isn’t roped off. That’s what “sharing” means – don’t begrudge them SOME space.

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