Harbor seal in Murrells Inlet

[JABIII]

MURRELLS INLET, S.C. (WCBD) – A harbor seal was spotted in the Murrells Inlet salt marsh Thursday—a rare sight.

Mike Eady, a guide and owner of Black Rivers Outdoors, saw the surprise guest while on an eco tour in Murrells Inlet near the Huntington Beach State Park.

“This seal was very unexpected but provided us with lots of excitement on the tour yesterday,” said Eady.

It’s no shock that the visit was unexpected, as it’s unusual to see seals in Lowcountry waters. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) says South Carolina is not part of their normal range, but harbor and gray seals are occasionally seen off the coast.

The seals that are spotted are often younger individuals who have ended up off the beaten path, according to SCDNR.

With these animals being far from home, SCDNR and the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) express ways to keep them safe in Lowcountry waters.

“Always give them a wide berth, especially if you encounter them resting on the shore. Interacting with seals is dangerous to both you and the animal, in addition to being illegal,” said Erin Weeks, communication coordinator at SCDNR.

In a recent Instagram post, the LMMN states, if a seal comes onto land, it does so to rest, and rest is important for the animal. They ask the public not to push it back into the water if it’s on land.

The LMMN says they will continue to monitor and only intervene if a seal appears sick or injured. Otherwise, they are confident that the seal will likely find its way home. They ask to report sightings to: 800.922.5431 if you see one.

“In South Carolina, we’re uniquely situated to get some of the northernmost tropical species and southernmost temperate species like this seal. Never a dull day on the beach,” said Weeks.

https://www.counton2.com/news/local-...outh-carolina/

[DRDUCK]

All the years I spent down in MI I saw a bunch of neat stuff but never one of those. I used to Manatee all the time certain times of the year and people called me a liar until I got the Feds involved to document them. Now they are on the regular.

[Saltydog235]

There’s been one visiting the GS/MI area the last 4/5 years.

[willk]

Yeah i recall there being one around that area a few years ago.

[Palmetto Bug]

I saw a seal at the seaward end of the Charleston jetties several years ago. It was winter and not many boats out. He didn't stay up long enough for me to pull out my phone/camera. It's one of those things that you almost don't want to tell anyone because it pisses you off when they doubt your word.

[DRDUCK]

There’s been one visiting the GS/MI area the last 4/5 years.

This was 40 years ago. I ran boats out MI before the jetty's were built. Them was the days and yes I am old

[WNM]

When I was fishing a tournament in Murrell's Inlet in May 5 years ago, I had a seal surface around me 3 or 4 times. I talked to a marine mammals guy at DNR, and he said that if it wasn't a manatee (it wasn't), it certainly wasn't common, but they get a report about a seal every couple years. Couldn't get good pics like this though.

[nitro5x6's]

Good thing my Grand Diddy is long gone, he'd go find that seal and plug it in the noggin.