Lucy the Harbor Seal is a regular at Clipper Yacht Harbor. Captain Perry of Sea Turtle Fishing Charters says, "Lucy is always a hit with the customers." Even though Lucy is wild, she is being hand fed by Joe, a regular customer of Captain Perry.
Aspects particular to California
The California population of subspecies richardsi amounted to approximately 25,000 individuals as of the year 1984. Pacific harbor seals or Californian harbor seals are found along the entire Pacific coast shoreline of the state. They prefer to remain relatively close to shore in sub-tidal and intertidal zones, and have not been seen beyond the Channel Islands as a pelagic form; moreover, they will often venture into bays and estuaries and even swim up coastal rivers.
Frequently they will haul out in small to medium sized groups onto rock outcrops, mudflats, sandy beaches or even fishing piers. Some of the best locations for viewing Harbor Seals up close are at Children's Pool Beach in La Jolla, Cannery Row in Monterey, Moss Landing on Monterey Bay or at Bolinas Lagoon in Marin County. They feed in shallow littoral waters on herring, flounder, hake, anchovy, codfish and sculpin (Newby, 1978).
In California breeding occurs from March to May, and pupping between April and May depending on local populations. There is no indication this species has territorial characteristics in water, and it definitely displays none on land. As top level feeders in the kelp forest, Harbor Seals enhance species diversity and productivity. They are preyed upon by the apex predator, the Great white shark.
Considerable scientific inquiry has been carried out by The Marine Mammal Center and other research organizations beginning in the 1980s regarding the incidence and transmission of diseases in Harbor seals in the wild, including analysis of phocine herpesvirus (Goldstein, 2004). In the San Francisco Bay, some harbor seals are fully or partially reddish in color. This may be caused by an accumulation of trace elements such as iron or selenium in the ocean or a change in the hair follicle.
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Join Captain Perry Kerson of Sea Turtle Sport Fishing 6 pack trips focusing on catching world class sport fish in and around the waters of the Golden Gate including the Marin County Coast, San Mateo County, the Gulf of the Farallones, and San Francisco Bay. The Sea Turtle fishes out of the Clipper Yacht Harbor — Sausalito, CA
- Outer Limits Sport Fishing Outer Limits Captain Jim Robertson 415-454-3191 Upto 32 anglers. Targeting all species. Based out of the Clipper Yacht Harbor — Sausalito, CA Captain Robertson has been fishing ever since he can remember. A licensed Captain for over 26 years, he skippered the original Ginnie C in 1976, and then the Ginnie......
- San Mateo County Marinas Redwood Landing Marina View Larger Map 451 Seaport Court, Redwood City, California 94063 Phone: 650.363.1390 Average water depth? The average depth at the docks is 8 feet. This may change however, so it is a good idea to call ahead. Is there a marine stand by channel? Yes, you can......
- Blue Runner Sport Fishing Blue Runner Captain Todd Magaline 415-458-8700 Upto 24 anglers. Targeting all species. Based out of the Clipper Yacht Harbor — Sausalito, CA Captain Magaline began fishing at an early age off Long Island, New York. He has been an entrepreneur in the Bay Area since the early '70's, and has......
- New RayAnn Sport Fishing New RayAnn Captain John Atkinson Jr. 415-924-6851 Upto 30 anglers. Targeting all species. Based out of the Clipper Yacht Harbor — Sausalito, CA Captain Atkinson started as a deckhand on the New Ray Ann when he was 18 years old. At that time, the boat was owned and operated by......
- Alameda County Marinas Part 2 Union Point Basin 2301 East Embarcadero Oakland, California 94606 Phone: 800.675.DOCK Average water depth? 13 feet, but this is subject to change. Please call ahead for exact levels before you arrive. Is there a marine stand by channel? No, not at this time, but you can reach the marina by......
