Seals Spotted Across Jersey Shore as Ice Creates Ideal Habitat

New Jersey's frigid winter has led to an influx of seals along the coastline.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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New Jersey's unusually cold winter has resulted in ice floes forming along the Jersey Shore, creating an ideal habitat for seals. Residents in coastal areas have been spotting the marine mammals relaxing on the frozen shoreline, a rare sight for many locals.

Why it matters

The presence of seals in the region is an indicator of the extreme weather conditions this winter, as the ice floes provide a safe resting place for the seals. This is an uncommon occurrence that highlights the impact of climate change on local wildlife and ecosystems.

The details

Jeanette Blaesi, a 66-year-old resident of the Erma section of Lower Township in Cape May County, had never seen a seal in the wild before this winter. At first, she thought the seal she spotted was just "a board, a piece of wood, a piece of trash."

  • New Jersey has experienced an unusually cold winter in 2026.

The players

Jeanette Blaesi

A 66-year-old resident of the Erma section of Lower Township in Cape May County, New Jersey.

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The takeaway

The presence of seals along the Jersey Shore is a rare and remarkable sight, underscoring the dramatic impact of this winter's extreme weather conditions on the local ecosystem. As climate change continues to affect weather patterns, scientists will closely monitor how wildlife adapts to these changes.