Dead Seals on Maine Beaches May be Due to Pollution

A number of dead seals have washed upon southern Maine beaches lately and they may be linked to pollution.

Maine biologist Susan Shaw believes the seals are not biologically healthy after decades of chemical pollution that leaves the seal population vulnerable to toxins and disease.

Shaw has studied the health of harbor seals for decades and shows the population of harbor seals in the Gulf of Maine is loaded with toxic, immune suppressing chemicals. They also find young animals are immune suppressed from birth.

According to pressherald.com volunteers responded to 100 dead seals on beaches south of Portland and in Casco Bay. Still there is no obvious reason for so many seals suddenly dying or becoming ill. The state reports clear water quality readings and the dead animals don’t seem malnourished.