Pinniped abundance on Point Conception, CA (Jul 2025 - Jun 2026)

To assess the abundance, distribution, and status of marine mammals on Point Conception (Santa Barbara County, CA), a Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) Mission Support Site located four miles south from the main base, VSFB biologists have conducted monthly surveys of known pinniped haulouts in the area since July 2024. This project is performed in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) which manages the adjoining Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. This dataset summarizes results of eight monthly marine mammal surveys conducted during the second year of this project, from Jul 2025 - Jun 2026. For each survey, biologists used high-power binoculars and/or spotting scopes to survey six pinniped haulout sites in the Point Conception area for marine mammals. The primary study species for this project was the harbor seal (Phoca vitulina). During each survey, the number of harbor seals in each age class (pup, juvenile, adult) was recorded by site. Sex was noted when possible, although this was generally not determined due to the lack of sexual dimorphism in this species. Abundance counts were also performed for any other marine mammal species observed during survey work. Across all surveys, a total of 635 harbor seals were observed (average 79 seals/survey). Abundance was generally highest during the spring pupping season, with peak abundance of 166 harbor seals recorded in Mar 2026. Lowest abundance occurred in Feb 2026, when only 23 harbor seals were observed. Harbor seal pups were observed from Apr – Jun 2026, with a maximum of 14 pups observed in May. Harbor seals were observed on all six established haulout sites, with 40% of all animals on the “Main Reef” haulout site. In addition to routinely observed harbor seals, a single California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) was observed in Jul 2025. Overall, these results suggest that Point Conception provides important year-round habitat for California pinnipeds, particularly the harbor seal.