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It's not too late -- you may buy tickets at the boat, up to the time we take off!
The Black Hawk is donating an exciting trip to view the many seals who live off New London. View these animals in their natural environment. It's a fundraiser for NLMS.
NLMS trustee Matthew Male will narrate our Sunset Seal Watch. Matt has worked over decades at Great Gull Island to promote and document the roseate tern population which nests there in May & June, working with Helen Hayes of the New York Museum of Natural History, (which owns the island).
The seals are actually Maine natives who make Long Island Sound their winter/spring and sometimes permanent home. On this trip, we'll leave from Niantic and head out to Little Gull and Plum Islands.
Beginning in the 1800s, hunters harvesting seals for fur and oil virtually eliminated seals in Long Island Sound. Fishermen continued to kill seals believing they were competing with them for fish. In fact, up into the 1950s Connecticut offered seal hunters a bounty. From NOAA: 'The Marine Mammal Protection Act was enacted in 1972 and established a national policy to prevent marine mammal species and population stocks from declining beyond the point where they ceased to be significant functioning elements of the ecosystems of which they are a part.' Following the new federal regulations, seals began returning to LIS in the 1970s. Today five species can be found, many now making the Sound their permanent home. They've been reported as far west as Greenwich! Most seals are here in the winter, but many now remain in LIS year-round.
Bring your camera and binoculars. We'll bring a drink and snack! It's a 2 hour+ round-trip. Sunset's at 8:15.
Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for NLMS members, and $25 for children ages 6 to 18. Call 860-447-2501 with your questions or sign up online today.
The Black Hawk doesn't really have an official address, since it's at a dock. However, people use 11 East Main Street, Niantic, CT, and that works just fine. Check out the address if you need them.
If you use a GPS, use the address 133 Main Street, which will take you to Boats, Inc. Proceed about 200 yards, then just before you go over the Niantic River Bridge, take a left into Cini Memorial Park and the Black Hawk parking lot.
You can also use these directions: Take Exit 74 off I-95. Take a right off the end of the exit onto Rt. 161. Follow until the end, then take a left on to Rt 156. Continue until you see the bridge. Just before bridge, take a left into Cini Park and the Black Hawk parking lot.
The cabin on the boat is heated, but we suggest you wear deck shoes or boots and layered clothing for the trip.
Attendees also receive free admission to the nearby Custom House Maritime Museum at 150 Bank Street, New London: www.nlmaritimesociety.org. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 PM, and Saturdays from 10 AM.
In case of inclement weather, we will notify all attendees by 3 PM Wednesday afternoon.
First two photos: Donna Whitehouse! Last image: Matthew Male.
Visit the Custom House for exhibitions on New London's maritime heritage, area lighthouses (including the three that we own: Harbor, Ledge, and Race Rock Lights), the Amistad story, the US Customs Service, special changing exhibitions, and our very popular MUSEUM SHOP.
Beginning in mid-June, New London Maritime Society hosts 17 weekends of Lighthouse Boat Tours, too.
See you soon at the Custom House!
New London Maritime Society - telling the stories of the waterfront.
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LocationBlack Hawk Fishing (View)
11 East Main Street
Niantic, CT 06357
United States
Categories
| Minimum Age: 6 |
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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