March 10, 2021
We have a long history of working cooperatively with the Town of Chatham. We are proud to announce that this relationship has resulted in a recent Memorandum of Understanding with the Town, recognizing the traditional recreational shellfishing managed by the town and affirming our commitment to collaborative management of fishery resources in the future.
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Seals in Chatham
You need a private boat to see the seals that are on the refuge right now, because they are located on the Atlantic side of South Monomoy Island, which is only accessible by boat.
From May to October, Monomoy Island Ferry offers boat rides to the refuge. If you go to the Chatham Lighthouse overlook/parking lot on Main Street in Chatham around low tide and bring binoculars or spotting scope, you may be able to view seals that are hauled out on the sand bar along the left side of the harbor inlet.
Another good place to see seals is the observation deck on the Chatham Fish Pier, located at 45 Barcliff Ave.
Remember, seals are protected from harassment under the Marine Mammal Protection Act! Any action by you that provokes a reaction from seals is considered harassment because their natural behaviors have been altered by your presence. Please keep back at least 150 feet from seals at all times.
Wind, storms and tides move sand and continually change the environment of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. Its boundary, however, was set when the refuge was established in 1944. The boundary has been the subject of recent public discourse, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeks to provide the public that we serve with accurate information.
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