Fishermen have been harvesting the Gulf of Maine since before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. Undoubtably the most popular Maine seafood is the American lobster. Lobsters are not popular with each other. In fact, they attack and eat each other whenever they get the chance. Marine mammals, unlike lobsters, are very sociable animals.
Many different kinds visit the Gulf of Maine in the summer.
Like other tourists, they enjoy the cool waters and the abundant food. For example, one can often see seals while visiting the northeast coastline. Harbor seals, found in Maine year-round, often migrate south for the winter. They return in the spring and the mothers give birth. While nursing their pups for 4 to 6 weeks, the mothers will temporarily leave their pups alone on the beach while hunting for food.