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A Year with the Seals: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sea's Most Charismatic and Controversial Creatures
Environmental journalist Alix Morris spends an eye-opening year getting to know these elusive, intelligent creatures, investigating the effects of their extraordinary return from the brink of extinction and how we can try to bring nature back into balance.
It might be their large, strangely human eyes or their dog-like playfulness, but seals have long captured people's interest and affection, making them the perfect candidate for an environmental cause, as well as the subject of decades of study. Alix Morris spends a year with these magnetic creatures and brings them to life on the page, season by season, as she learns about their intelligence, their relationships with each other, their ecosystems, and the changing climate.
Morris also gets to know all of the competing interests in the intense debate about the newly recovered seal populations in our coastal waters, from local fishermen whose catch is often diminished by savvy seals, to tribes who once relied on seal-hunting for food, clothing, and medicine, to seal rescue workers and biologists, to surfers and swimmers now encountering seal-hunting sharks in coastal waters. A Year with the Seals is a rare look at what happens when conservation efforts actually work, and how human tampering with ecosystems continues to have unexpected consequences. But it’s also a gripping adventure story of a journalist determined to understand seals and our relationship with them for herself.
It might be their large, strangely human eyes or their dog-like playfulness, but seals have long captured people's interest and affection, making them the perfect candidate for an environmental cause, as well as the subject of decades of study. Alix Morris spends a year with these magnetic creatures and brings them to life on the page, season by season, as she learns about their intelligence, their relationships with each other, their ecosystems, and the changing climate.
Morris also gets to know all of the competing interests in the intense debate about the newly recovered seal populations in our coastal waters, from local fishermen whose catch is often diminished by savvy seals, to tribes who once relied on seal-hunting for food, clothing, and medicine, to seal rescue workers and biologists, to surfers and swimmers now encountering seal-hunting sharks in coastal waters. A Year with the Seals is a rare look at what happens when conservation efforts actually work, and how human tampering with ecosystems continues to have unexpected consequences. But it’s also a gripping adventure story of a journalist determined to understand seals and our relationship with them for herself.
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First published July 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 15, 2025
Who doesn’t love seals? Who couldn’t love those big, expressive, liquid eyes and cute little round bodies so very obviously not ideal for travel by land, but beautifully made to cut through water with impressive speed and agility? Well, it turns out there are plenty of people on both coasts of the U.S. and Canada who don’t care for seals – at all.
Alix Morris set out to figure out the exact source of the conflict between people and seals. She failed. But it wasn’t for trying, and she was never going to succeed in the first place. Seals, despite their adorable faces and curious dispositions, are single-minded in their consumption of fish. Fish trying to move upstream in a human-built ladder to bypass a dam are a concentrated buffet. Fish hooked on a fisherman’s bait are free samples. Fish held by a commercial company’s net can be convinced to turnaround so seals can pick them off.
And as the number of fish dwindle, the number of seals has risen exponentially. So, too, have shark sightings and interactions increased as the apex predators of the sea hunt down their own meals. But that’s only a tiny fraction of the larger story because seals have held a place in maritime history for centuries. Why now are seals and humans in greater conflict than ever before?
Morris talks with experts on all sides of the issue, from marine mammal rescue organizations, government organizations, and biologists to Native Americans, fisherman, and tourists. She travels to remote islands to see pupping season. She jumps in on rescues and even a seal necropsy. And she asks the tough questions looking for some kind of answer to why seals and humans on the northern coasts are just not getting along in so many cases.
While Morris may end up with more questions than answers, the one answer that keeps popping up may surprise readers.
As an avid reader across genres, but one with a soft spot for nature and conservation, I found A Year with the Seals a wonderfully enlightening book. Told through a mix of history, anecdotes (both heart-warming and heart-breaking), data and personal observations, Morris presents the status of a variety of seals so thoroughly that I’m already looking forward to future updates them, their protectors, and the local players pushing to intervene with the growing seal population.
#ayearwiththeseals #alixmorris #NetGalley #algonquinbooks #hatchettebookgroup #books #bookreviews #bookstagram #bookreview #nerdventureswithbooks
Alix Morris set out to figure out the exact source of the conflict between people and seals. She failed. But it wasn’t for trying, and she was never going to succeed in the first place. Seals, despite their adorable faces and curious dispositions, are single-minded in their consumption of fish. Fish trying to move upstream in a human-built ladder to bypass a dam are a concentrated buffet. Fish hooked on a fisherman’s bait are free samples. Fish held by a commercial company’s net can be convinced to turnaround so seals can pick them off.
And as the number of fish dwindle, the number of seals has risen exponentially. So, too, have shark sightings and interactions increased as the apex predators of the sea hunt down their own meals. But that’s only a tiny fraction of the larger story because seals have held a place in maritime history for centuries. Why now are seals and humans in greater conflict than ever before?
Morris talks with experts on all sides of the issue, from marine mammal rescue organizations, government organizations, and biologists to Native Americans, fisherman, and tourists. She travels to remote islands to see pupping season. She jumps in on rescues and even a seal necropsy. And she asks the tough questions looking for some kind of answer to why seals and humans on the northern coasts are just not getting along in so many cases.
While Morris may end up with more questions than answers, the one answer that keeps popping up may surprise readers.
As an avid reader across genres, but one with a soft spot for nature and conservation, I found A Year with the Seals a wonderfully enlightening book. Told through a mix of history, anecdotes (both heart-warming and heart-breaking), data and personal observations, Morris presents the status of a variety of seals so thoroughly that I’m already looking forward to future updates them, their protectors, and the local players pushing to intervene with the growing seal population.
#ayearwiththeseals #alixmorris #NetGalley #algonquinbooks #hatchettebookgroup #books #bookreviews #bookstagram #bookreview #nerdventureswithbooks
July 11, 2025
Alix Morris provides a nuanced view on seals. Some of you may be wondering, “What do you mean a nuanced view on seals? Who has a problem with them? They’re cute!” Before I read this book, I thought similar things. I had no greater understanding that there were debates and controversies relating to seals. Some of these controversies are covered in the book and include: Are seals attracting great white sharks closer to where humans swim? Are seals stealing fish from fisherman and eating away their profits? Should seals be federally protected? Should indigenous people, who hunted and ate seals for centuries, be allowed to still?
If you are at all curious, I encourage you to read this book and develop a more comprehensive understanding of these dogs of the sea. Below, I have included some quotes that stuck with me.
🦭 Rob - “Those of us who take great delight in seals do so without any economic loss”
🦭 Dwayne, a member of the Wabanaki Confederacy - “We’re trying to educate our oppressor. Isn’t that amazing? To educate your oppressor… what does that tell you about our resiliency? What does it tell you about our spirit? The spirit of our people?”
🦭 Frans de Waal, describing Anthropodenial - “a blindness to the humanlike characteristics of other animals, or the animal-like characteristics of ourselves.”
🦭 Daniel Pauly - “We transform the world, but we don’t remember it. We adjust our baseline to the new level, and we don’t recall what was there.”
🦭 Loren Eiseley - “One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human.”
If you are at all curious, I encourage you to read this book and develop a more comprehensive understanding of these dogs of the sea. Below, I have included some quotes that stuck with me.
🦭 Rob - “Those of us who take great delight in seals do so without any economic loss”
🦭 Dwayne, a member of the Wabanaki Confederacy - “We’re trying to educate our oppressor. Isn’t that amazing? To educate your oppressor… what does that tell you about our resiliency? What does it tell you about our spirit? The spirit of our people?”
🦭 Frans de Waal, describing Anthropodenial - “a blindness to the humanlike characteristics of other animals, or the animal-like characteristics of ourselves.”
🦭 Daniel Pauly - “We transform the world, but we don’t remember it. We adjust our baseline to the new level, and we don’t recall what was there.”
🦭 Loren Eiseley - “One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other than human.”
November 8, 2025
I didn’t realize how much history there was to the subject of seals. I had the privilege to be able to save up money to go to the Galápagos Islands in 2023 and I was mesmerized by the amount of wildlife that lived there. The author highlights not only the pros but also the negatives of what marine researchers, Indigenous folks and regular people have faced in the name of seals. If you are in the mood to absorb with your eyes and ears information about one of the globe’s misunderstood creatures, pick this up today.
October 7, 2025
This non fiction book was very well written. It tells a story about the seals in and around Maine. There were many facts shared which were both present day and historical. The authors collection and presentation of information was great and it included her feelings about the seals. The author worked with marine biologists and visited numerous different places to collect her information.
September 15, 2025
I seem to have read or listened to more environmental books this year than ever before. They all seem to come to the same conclusions:
1) all species are connected
2) as much as humans try to remedy their actions that contributed to the endangering of species, the interconnectedness is so complex that it’s close to impossible.
3) humans are to blame for causing so many imbalances
I especially liked Alex’s take on this in her year learning about seals. Her heart and empathy ring throughout.
I was so impressed by the incredible amount of research she has done. I learned so much about seals but also about different cultures as well.
1) all species are connected
2) as much as humans try to remedy their actions that contributed to the endangering of species, the interconnectedness is so complex that it’s close to impossible.
3) humans are to blame for causing so many imbalances
I especially liked Alex’s take on this in her year learning about seals. Her heart and empathy ring throughout.
I was so impressed by the incredible amount of research she has done. I learned so much about seals but also about different cultures as well.
June 18, 2025
Although non-fiction is not my normal read, I was immediately enthralled by Morris’ insightful and engaging stories of these charismatic creatures: the seals. The book starts with the telling of Hoover, a “wide-eyed pup no bigger than a watermelon” and I was hooked!
Morris sheds light on the behavior and habitat of the seals along with knowledge about conservation and coexistence leaving the reader with lots to ponder. The story is well-written with ample space for both sides to tell their story, explain their arguments, and share their reasonings on conservation and the relationship between seals and people and the world we share.
Morris truly loves and cares for the seals and this endearment shows through her captivating and endearing stories … some tragic, some funny, and some sweet … but all truths found in her thorough knowledge and research of these adorable creatures.
Thanks to Morris for allowing me to take a closer look at these intelligent and adorable creatures and to Goodreads for the opportunity to experience Morris’ insightful secrets of the charismatic seals.
Morris sheds light on the behavior and habitat of the seals along with knowledge about conservation and coexistence leaving the reader with lots to ponder. The story is well-written with ample space for both sides to tell their story, explain their arguments, and share their reasonings on conservation and the relationship between seals and people and the world we share.
Morris truly loves and cares for the seals and this endearment shows through her captivating and endearing stories … some tragic, some funny, and some sweet … but all truths found in her thorough knowledge and research of these adorable creatures.
Thanks to Morris for allowing me to take a closer look at these intelligent and adorable creatures and to Goodreads for the opportunity to experience Morris’ insightful secrets of the charismatic seals.
July 3, 2025
It might be their large, strangely human eyes or their dog-like playfulness, but seals have long captured people's interest and affection, making them the perfect candidate for an environmental cause, as well as the subject of decades of study. Alix Morris spends a year with these magnetic creatures and brings them to life on the page, season by season, as she learns about their complex relationships with each other, their ecosystems, the changing climate, and the humans who hunt and rescue them, regulate their protections and compete with them for food sources, and sometimes adopt them as pets, or even friends. Along with the enigmatic seals themselves, Morris gets to know all of the competing interests in the intense debate about the newly recovered seal population in our coastal waters, from local fisherman whose catch is often diminished by savvy seals, to tribes who once relied seal-hunting for food, clothing, and medicine, to the seal rescue workers and biologists, to surfers now encountering seal-hunting sharks. In a world where wildlife populations are disappearing at an alarming rate, A Year with the Seals is a rare look at what happens when conservation efforts actually work, and how human tampering with ecosystems continues to have unexpected consequences for a wide variety of species, humans included.
September 25, 2025
Alix Morris does a great job diving (pun intended) into the complex issues of human/wildlife coexistence at a marine level and the issues that arise. The nail on the head? Acknowledging that the current model of wildlife management is a) really more about people management, and b) occurs on an issue level, not a system level. Removing seals (or similar 'problem' animal) from an ecosystem creates a cascade of new problems to be solved. Culling the pinnipeds that gather at dams to catch fish by the ladders might seem like a good idea, but that will only bring in others. The flaw is in the design, and in many cases the barrier itself, than the predator. They're just capitalizing on our ingenuity. If I could wish for anything more out of this book, it would be that Alix explored a little more of the West Coast issues - not just that the seals are a competitor for fish for humans and endangered fish-eating orcas, but what that might mean for the other population of Bigg's killer whales that prey on mammals like seals and sea lions. But that's more my personal bias as a PNW resident and whale lover.
October 29, 2025
Everyone loves seals! They are beyond cute. They are so beloved that the San Francisco Giants Baseball Team has a seal mascot named Lou Seal.
But as Alix Morris found out in writing her book, A Year with the Seals: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sea's Most Charismatic and Controversial Creatures, not everyone likes seals. In fact there are those who call for an open season on seals.
Many of the seal populations were greatly diminished and of late are making a remarkable recovery. At the same time cod, salmon and steelhead populations are down, so fisherman feel the pinch of the seals' competition.
Alix Morris investigated both sides of the story of seals, volunteered at a seal rehab center, interviewed seal experts and traveled to remote seal breeding grounds.
If you are into seals this could be the book for you. I know, I enjoyed it immensely.
But as Alix Morris found out in writing her book, A Year with the Seals: Unlocking the Secrets of the Sea's Most Charismatic and Controversial Creatures, not everyone likes seals. In fact there are those who call for an open season on seals.
Many of the seal populations were greatly diminished and of late are making a remarkable recovery. At the same time cod, salmon and steelhead populations are down, so fisherman feel the pinch of the seals' competition.
Alix Morris investigated both sides of the story of seals, volunteered at a seal rehab center, interviewed seal experts and traveled to remote seal breeding grounds.
If you are into seals this could be the book for you. I know, I enjoyed it immensely.
May 3, 2025
An endorsement made by 'the' nature writer of our generation, Sy Montgomery, is what primarily gravitated me to this book.
But it was Alix Morris' writing which had me engrossed till the very last page.
This author creates a wonderful read by interspersing her personal experiences in real time from witnessing/participating in rehabilitation efforts as well to the other end of the spectrum, actively listening and acknowledging the cultural implications for Indigenous people of seal hunting. Her research has her travel up to the beaches of Maine and Cape Cod then out West to Seattle. There she meets with activists, scientists, and fishermen. You'll even meet memorable seals along the way.
But where she truly excels is in gently prodding the reader to examine all facets of what has become a contentious issue as to the treatment of seals.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Algonquin Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
But it was Alix Morris' writing which had me engrossed till the very last page.
This author creates a wonderful read by interspersing her personal experiences in real time from witnessing/participating in rehabilitation efforts as well to the other end of the spectrum, actively listening and acknowledging the cultural implications for Indigenous people of seal hunting. Her research has her travel up to the beaches of Maine and Cape Cod then out West to Seattle. There she meets with activists, scientists, and fishermen. You'll even meet memorable seals along the way.
But where she truly excels is in gently prodding the reader to examine all facets of what has become a contentious issue as to the treatment of seals.
This ARC was provided by the publisher, Algonquin Books, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2025
A Year with the Seals is meticulously researched, but don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s dry or academic. Alix Morris has managed to take complex ecological and ethical questions and turn them into something deeply human, accessible, and often laugh-out-loud funny. As a science writer, Morris surprises with a storyteller’s voice, blending fieldwork, philosophy, and humor in a way that makes this book hard to put down.
What really stands out is how the book unpacks the messy, emotional, and often contradictory nature of our relationships with wildlife. Morris doesn't offer easy answers or fall into the trap of moral absolutism. Instead, she invites us to sit in the discomfort, to reflect, and to consider multiple perspectives, something that feels increasingly rare in today’s world.
This book isn’t just about seals. It’s about us humans, and the importance of pausing before drawing black-and-white conclusions. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommend.
What really stands out is how the book unpacks the messy, emotional, and often contradictory nature of our relationships with wildlife. Morris doesn't offer easy answers or fall into the trap of moral absolutism. Instead, she invites us to sit in the discomfort, to reflect, and to consider multiple perspectives, something that feels increasingly rare in today’s world.
This book isn’t just about seals. It’s about us humans, and the importance of pausing before drawing black-and-white conclusions. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommend.
September 5, 2025
If you are expecting this one to conform to any preconceived notions you have about seals-whatever they are-Morris will be defying those expectations. If I'm being honest, I had no idea that anyone had anything against a seal. I associate them with my trips to the Tulsa zoo as a child (those were sea lions but they get their mention here too). By demonstrating just how many competing interests and opinions there are regarding the presence of seals around North America and the impact it has on the people and places they live (or may have, since our understanding is its own missing piece), Morris shows us how a single creature can embody the climate question we are all up against on its own, and just how difficult it becomes to know the right move when so many will be impacted and so little is clear.
September 24, 2025
A year of research and reflection on seal-human conflict along the coast of Maine.
The story of seal and human made me thing of 'Under a White Sky' by Elizabeth Kolbert. How human attempts to manage or find balance of nature seem so non-sense, chaotic and hopeless.
The author's journey with seals along the coat of Maine started with a woman getting killed by a white shark and the blame went to rebound of seal population in the area. The book reflect complicated relationship we have with wildlife- the story of seal doesn't seem new (we heard similar conflicts with wolves, bears, dears...)
One of the author question is 'how many seals are too many?' I think the same question can be asked for our species as well 'how many humans are too many?'
Loren Eiseley
"One does not meet oneself until on catches the reflection from an eye other than human."
The story of seal and human made me thing of 'Under a White Sky' by Elizabeth Kolbert. How human attempts to manage or find balance of nature seem so non-sense, chaotic and hopeless.
The author's journey with seals along the coat of Maine started with a woman getting killed by a white shark and the blame went to rebound of seal population in the area. The book reflect complicated relationship we have with wildlife- the story of seal doesn't seem new (we heard similar conflicts with wolves, bears, dears...)
One of the author question is 'how many seals are too many?' I think the same question can be asked for our species as well 'how many humans are too many?'
Loren Eiseley
"One does not meet oneself until on catches the reflection from an eye other than human."
August 1, 2025
This book really hit that same emotional chord I feel when watching documentaries like Planet Earth when I root for the gazelle to escape the lionness, but then cry when I see the lionness can't feed her cubs without it. A Year with the Seals captures that exact tension. Alix Morris brings you so close to these animals that you can’t help but root for them and their rolly-polly bellies, but she also doesn’t shy away from the complicated realities of how successful conservation can stir up real conflict for local (human) communities. It’s beautifully written, and full of heart. I came away feeling both more informed and more emotionally tangled, in the best way.
June 17, 2025
Big thanks to Alonquin for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book, I think the author does a very good job of maintain balance while talking about the debates around seals, while also just giving good seal content. I also definitely appreciate that Morris loves the seals, and cares deeply about the topic she chose to write about. She also did a great job at making some of the more science-y stuff in a way that was easy to understand.
All in all, I had a good time, and if you're a seal fan, I'd definitely say you'd like this one!
I really enjoyed this book, I think the author does a very good job of maintain balance while talking about the debates around seals, while also just giving good seal content. I also definitely appreciate that Morris loves the seals, and cares deeply about the topic she chose to write about. She also did a great job at making some of the more science-y stuff in a way that was easy to understand.
All in all, I had a good time, and if you're a seal fan, I'd definitely say you'd like this one!
July 18, 2025
This book is about so much more than seals. It made me think, feel, laugh and reassess my own beliefs about wildlife/human interactions and the complexities that come from sharing our natural world. I found the author's writing easy to follow and understand, without me needing to have a background in science. Highly recommend for anyone interested in learning more about seals and wildlife conservation.
July 30, 2025
Really enjoyed this glimpse into the complex relationship between humans and seals (and sharks?). I think Morris did a good job of portraying all viewpoints without too heavy of a bias one way or another. I felt like each topic she researched was covered enough and though it certainly could have been a longer book I think it was just about right. I enjoy nonfiction that presents everything and allows the reader to form their own opinions and thoughts about the topic!
August 2, 2025
A Year with the Seals strikes the delicate balance needed to parse the complexity of conservation efforts, competing stakeholders, and the nuanced behavior of the stars of the show, the seals themselves! To do so with sound research, captivating prose, and delightfully self-deprecating humor speaks to the innate talent of the author. I hope Alix Morris continues to gift us with her unique voice, one that enables genuine understanding of marine life and our own role in this story.
September 23, 2025
As a lover of marine biology, I really enjoyed this book! It was fun to not only learn more about seals, but also about the role that they play in the ecosystem. It was fascinating to hear about different peoples perspectives on seals, and also to hear about Morrison’s work shadowing in seal rehabilitation centers.
This book made me want to go back to cape cod and truly appreciate the dynamics of the ocean life there!
This book made me want to go back to cape cod and truly appreciate the dynamics of the ocean life there!
June 29, 2025
Very informative and a wonderful read. I love the fact that the author was able to show the perspective of multiple different attitudes when it comes to the wild seal populations. The way that she wrote it was able to keep me engaged and excited for he next thing that she went to for information. I love her writing style as she kept it informational but without the dragging on that some nonfiction can have.
July 30, 2025
Expertly researched and thoughtfully conveyed - this page turner taught me so much, not only about seals, but about the impact we humans have on the greater world around us. The way Morris paints her scenes makes me feel like I was alongside her for each adventure, and her brilliant puns made me laugh out loud.
August 22, 2025
I absolutely love a quick science-y book that isn't too jargon-y or stiff, and this satisfied that. Alix Morris is a witty and charismatic writer and did a great job telling the story of seals nationwide. I was left simply wanting to continue to learn more about the pinnipeds we get to share this planet with.
November 2, 2025
Written with joy and honesty, the author shares her journey of learning and honoring different perspectives. She laughs at herself and paints a picture of humanity that should make us all recognize that any problem with seals is a human-human problem not a seal- human problem. We all eat fish!
Only request I have is pictures and maps of the regions she visited and the seals.
Only request I have is pictures and maps of the regions she visited and the seals.
November 3, 2025
Very well written and thought provoking... Makes you think about the intricacies of and conflicts surrounding marine mammal conservation, as well as the potential and known impacts on the overall marine ecosystems. Alix's passion for exploring all sides of the divide and sharing stories and folklore of Indigenous people made the book more interesting and compelling to read.
August 23, 2025
A captivating and beautifully told journey into the world of seals. Alix Morris brings their charm, struggles, and importance to life in a way that leaves you with a lasting appreciation for these remarkable creatures.
August 27, 2025
The level of detail, empathy, and passion to tell this sort reminds me of my favorite non fiction author, Sy Montgomery. Makes sense that the forward is by Sy Montgomery.
Enjoyable and intense at times.
Enjoyable and intense at times.
September 4, 2025
If you’re expecting a warm and fuzzy cute seal story, this book isn’t for you but if you’d like to learn the cold hard scientific facts about seals, humans and their environmental impacts then dive right in!
September 17, 2025
I wish she had some pictures of them! Well organized and written; that her information is in the first person, with much detail (but not bogged down with it) and with urgency that we need to see the role seals play in the biological system, cultures, economics, etc,.
October 3, 2025
great book. more pop science and palatable - I would’ve really liked a deep dive into research like Paved Paradise, but Morris’ “just listen” approach is just about the best attitude you can have when reporting on an issue you are new to.
July 22, 2025
A great natural history read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews