the seals of Isles of Shoals....

[Scuba-QC]

Hi everyone!

I heard that the seals in Isles of Shoals are only there in the beginning of summer and then they go away....is that true?

don't want to end up overthere and don't see a thing...

Thanks

Scuba-Qc

 

[ScubaSarus]

Nope. We saw seals on the second week of Sept of last year. Just a few were there. Water temps were 50-55 at surface. Wasn't much life on the bottom but nudibranchs were abundant. The water was quite clear and the rock formations (canyonns) were really nice. Dress warm if you go. 2 divers aborted their dive one who didn't like the constriction of the thick neoprene and the other because he was too cold when he hit the water. The water was also at the warmest you may get at the time we went. If you don't see the seals you will still have a great dive if you dress accordingly.

 

[Mark_N]

I was on a charter that went out to Mingo Rock on 8/6/05 and we had around a half dozen seals sitting on the rocks. The one dive that I got to make I saw one about 15-20' away following us. The other two in my group said they saw 2 or 3 following us. Temp at the boat anchor (66') was ~45°. Not so bad once we got back up around the rocks.

 

[Gidds]

My personal (unpopular) philosophy on swimming with seals: if you swim with seals and you look pretty much like a seal in scuba gear guess what else thinks you look like a seal? *hint hint* Hopefully you see him before he sees you Additionally if all the seals are up on the rocks and you're in the water still that ought to tell you something

 

[ScubaSarus]

Has there been shark sightings near were the seals dives are done ?

 

[Mark_N]

Has there been shark sightings near were the seals dives are done ?

No sightings in the New England area that I've heard of.

 

[scubastew]

Not that we've heard of, but Seals don't often call Channel 5 news to report Sharks in the area. The water temps are a little chilly for say a great white, but it's not unheard of. Last year round this time there were a few great whites in the area, remembering the one that got caught in the lagoon in Falmouth.

I'd wait till mid/late septmeber when the waters are a little cooler before planning a Seal swim.

Also I heard it was a federal offense to get within 100 feet of a Seal? Is that just on land? or in the sea too? Though I dont think the seals are any more likely to call the cops on you can be reporting sharks.

 

[Gidds]

Check the marine mammal protection act. I'm sure it's easily Googled. I've heard pinaped bites can be especially nasty so there's another reason to stay at least 100' from the seals. I was kidding about the sharks btw...well mostly I suppose seal watching could be a good way to see sharks as well.

 

[Vtdiver2]

Check the marine mammal protection act. I'm sure it's easily Googled. I've heard pinaped bites can be especially nasty so there's another reason to stay at least 100' from the seals. I was kidding about the sharks btw...well mostly I suppose seal watching could be a good way to see sharks as well.

I was in Maine 2 summers ago and there were shark sightings and half eaten seals and fish coming ashore in Wells and York. They closed the beaches for a couple of days after we left. We saw something in the water a couple of times off Old Orchard while we were boogy-boarding but couldn't tell what it was, as waves kept hiding it from view. (we found out the next day about the seals and fish washing ashore) :jawsdown:
The water was unusually warm in Maine that year, that was the reason they gave in the newspaper for the sharks coming that far north.
However, sharks are regularly seen off Long Island, and the Isle of Shoals isn't that far away.
Enjoy your dives, I'm sure they'll be fine, the operators wouldn't take you out if it wasn't safe, they couldn't afford the liability. If you're still unsure, ask them.
Chris

 

[Mark_N]

Also I heard it was a federal offense to get within 100 feet of a Seal? Is that just on land? or in the sea too? Though I dont think the seals are any more likely to call the cops on you can be reporting sharks.

From the MMPA web site:
"Boats should not come closer than 100 yards of marine mammals; do not harass, disturb, or separate mothers from offspring. Any boat that approaches too close to marine mammals is in violation of the United States Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972"

Interesting read. The boat can't get with in 100' but you as a diver can as long as your not disturbing the seals? If they come out to see you that shouldn't be a problem as long as you do not attempt to harm them in any way. Could be constrewed that a charter putting divers in the water near the resting place of seals is a disturbance in itself, something better left for the lawyers to hash out.

I for one am so intrigued by their presence in the water that I plan to do future charters out to the Isles of Shoals.