NOOA Alaska Regional Office
03/22/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 03/22/2026 16:01
Seal and Sea Lion Week
Seal & Sea Lion Week is March 23-27, 2026.
Join us for Seal and Sea Lion Week, March 23-27, 2026, to learn more about the many different species we manage, protect, and study. Find out why seals are sentinels for ocean health. Explore the features below to learn about NOAA's conservation efforts and methods.
Seal Features and Highlights
How to Tell When a Seal, Sea Lion, or Fur Seal Needs Help
Most seals, fur seals, and sea lions seen alive on the shore are resting and do not need emergency care. These animals should only be approached, touched, or handled by authorized and trained professionals.
How to tell when a seal, sea lion, or fur seal needs help
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As part of community outreach in Hawai'i, trained responders create safe areas for resting Hawaiian monk seals. Expert responders will stay on scene to engage with and educate the public about the importance of protecting this endangered species. Credit: NOAA Fisheries, taken under NOAA permit #24359
2025 Monk Seal and Sea Turtle Field Season Highlights
From drone-assisted surveys to interisland rescues, the 2025 season brought new insights and conservation wins in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Check out the season's photo highlights
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A newborn Hawaiian monk seal reaches out to its mother. You can see that the umbilicus is still attached to this newborn seal pup. New births are an integral part of the population data collected by our Hawaiian Monk Seal Research Program. Preliminary data for the number of monk seal pups born in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in 2025: Nihoa - 1, Mokumanamana - 6, Lalo - 47, Kamole - 47, Kapou - 25, Manawai - 12, Kuaihelani - 20, Hōlanikū - 16. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Robert McLean
Some Research Takes a Lifetime-Like the Northern Elephant Seal
Long-term research under Marine Mammal Protection Act scientific research permits provides insight into northern elephant seal moms and pups.
Learn about northern elephant seal research in California
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Example of a male elephant seal nose. Photo taken under NOAA Fisheries MMPA Permit # 23188.
California Sea Lions as Ecosystem Indicators
California sea lions are outstanding ecosystem indicators because they consume a variety of forage species. Changes in their diet over time can be linked to changing ocean conditions that affect the availability of their prey. We've been studying their diet for 40 years by analyzing their scat (aka poop!).
Learn more about the connection between sea lion diet and climate change
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California sea lions at San Nicholas Island in the southern Channel Islands. Credit: U.S. Navy/Greg Sanders
Podcast: Hawaiian Monk Seal Pupping Season
This is a special time of year in the Hawaiian Islands-it's pupping season for Hawaiian monk seals! March through August is peak pupping season and NOAA Fisheries experts in the Pacific Islands work with partners to protect the pups during this critical time.
Learn about Hawaiian monk seal pupping season
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A young, female Hawaiian monk seal pup, identified as "PM6," lying in the sand at Kalaupapa, Molokai in 2017. This is the fourth pup of mom "RI25." Credit: NOAA/Tracy Mercer (Permit #16632-02).
Seals and Sea Lions: Did You Know?
Fun Facts About Surprising Seals
Want to know more about those cute bewhiskered seals? Look no further!
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Harbor and gray seals hauled out in Chatham, Massachusetts.
Seal or Sea Lion?
Seals and sea lions are both pinnipeds, which means fin- or flipper-footed in Latin. Although seals and sea lions have similarities, they also have several distinct characteristics and adaptations that distinguish them from one another.
Learn how to tell seals and sea lions apart
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At first glance, seals (true or "eared seals") and sea lions look fairly similar. Taking a closer look, these are some of the general differences to tell these animals, such as on the harbor seal (left) and California sea lion (right) pictured above.
6 Ways We Study Seals and Sea Lions
When it comes to studying seals and seal lions, these methods get a "seal of approval" from our scientists.
How we study seals and sea lions
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Fur seal.
8 Fascinating Facts about Ribbon Seals
These Arctic ice-bound seals are known for their unique appearance.
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An adult female ribbon seal (Histriophoca fasciata) rests on an ice floe in the Bering Sea. Photo taken from a small UAS during operations to evaluate body condition in ribbon and spotted seals. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Gavin M Brady. UAS operations are conducted under authority of NMFS Research Permit #23858 and NOAA NIF #N24-17.
Conserving Long-Lived Species: The Importance of Monitoring Decades-Old Individuals
Conservation and recovery of long-lived species like Hawaiian monk seals requires continued monitoring of individuals. Meet some of the animals that have been known to scientists for decades.
Tracking long-lived species helps us protect them better
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Students at Kahuku Elementary gifted the name Uʻi Mea Ola ("beautiful survivor") to RJ58's (Kaimana) new pup. Credit: Hawaiʻi Marine Animal Response (Permit #24359)
Hawaiian Monk Seal Updates
Get the latest monk seal updates-including new pups, relocations, and seal rescues-from NOAA Fisheries in the Pacific Islands.
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A temporary satellite tag allows NOAA to monitor Koalani's exploration of his ocean environment (when he's not napping!). Credit: Hawaii Marine Animal Response (NOAA Fisheries Permit #18786)
Please, No Selfies with the Seals: 6 Ways to View Wildlife Responsibly
Although it can be tempting to try to get close to marine animals, it's always best to view them from a safe and respectful distance, for their safety-and yours. Learning how to interact with and observe ocean animals can help you make the right decisions when you encounter them by water, land, or air.
NOOA Alaska Regional Office published this content on March 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on March 22, 2026 at 22:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]