Group Counts 109 Seals In Sandy Hook Bay

RUMSON, NJ — In December, we told you how seals have made their annual wintertime return to the Jersey Shore.

And they are indeed back, with a local group called Save Coastal Wildlife recording approximately 109 seals in and around Sandy Hook Bay when they did their annual seal count on January 18. Most were harbor seals, but at least two grey seals were spotted.

And that's just at Sandy Hook: Seals have been spotted this winter up and down the Jersey Shore, from the Wildwoods to Long Branch.

If you want to learn more about seals on the Jersey Shore, or how you can get involved, the group will hold a public discussion Thursday night at Bingham Hall in Rumson. Save Coastal Wildlife's president Joe Reynolds will be giving a short presentation about Sandy Hook Bay seal monitoring from 7-8 p.m. this Thursday, January 30 at Bingham Hall in the borough of Rumson (40 Bingham Avenue).

Read: Seals Are Back Along The Jersey Shore (Dec. 23, 2019)

The group is also looking for two volunteers in Leonardo this spring. "We are seeking two people to become volunteer beach captains this spring to help monitor and count the horseshoe crab population at Leonardo Public Beach, part of Middletown Township," they write. "If you like horseshoe crabs, are 21 in age or older, well organized, can work in a team environment, and can make a commitment to count crabs on monitoring dates in May & June, please send an email to jreynolds@savecoastalwildlife.org We would love to have you be part of the team!"

The next Bayshore Watershed meeting will be held Thursday, February 13 from 8-9 p.m. at Keyport Borough Hall. Meetings are always informal and are a great way to learn about the Raritan Bay and Sandy Hook watershed, says the group.