Marine Mammal Management
Birds / Marine Mammals / Plants / Other

The Farallons are important to other species primarily as a haul out area, but small numbers are of marine mammals are born on the Refuge each year. Nothern elephant Seals, harbor seals, northern fur seals, Guadalupe fur seals, Steller’s sea lions and California sea lions inhabit the island at various seasons. Elephant seals birth a significant number of pups each year the number of pups born of the other species is low and varies year to year. The first elephant seal pup in over 100 years was born in 1972 and now approximately 150 are born each year. The first northern fur seal pup in over 150 years was discovered in 1996. Twelve pups were born in 2004, a new high. Elephant seals are intensely monitored in the winter while the rest of the seals and sea lions are censused weekly and left alone.

The Farallons are on the travel route for several whale species. Grey, humpback, and blues are the most common, while fin, sei, and right whales are occasional visitors to the waters around the island. Harbor and Dall porpoises also can be found in the area.

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