Porpoise Spotted In Squeteague Harbor
A harbor porpoise was seen swimming in Squeteague Harbor in Bourne late last week, drawing both the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and spectators to the area.
Cataumet resident John York reported seeing the animal last Thursday, March 2, in the harbor near Grasslands Lane. In a statement from IFAW, marine team member Nicole Hunter said the porpoise was also reported to IFAW that day around noon.
“At that time, the animal was swimming in Squeteague Harbor, and we didn’t have any photos or video to help us identify the species,” she said, “so we dispatched a team that afternoon to assess the situation.”
Mr. York said he spoke with a team from the Cape Cod Stranding Network that came to check out the situation, but Ms. Hunter confirmed that after an extensive search of the area by land, the animal was not located.
Jackson O’Brien was working out in Squeteague Harbor with his coworker Nick Curti. The men work for Swift Marine Services and were installing a dock by the beach when Mr. Curti spotted the porpoise poking out of the water about 25 or 30 feet away.
“He goes ‘guys, I think I just saw a dolphin,’” Mr. O’Brien said in an email to the Enterprise. “Of course we didn’t believe him until we all saw it come up again. After the first time we saw it, every couple of minutes or so, we would see its fin come up out of the water in different spots in the harbor.”
Around noon Mr. O’Brien says he was out in a dinghy when he saw the porpoise again, this time swimming near him.
“He circled around a couple times,” Mr. O’Brien said, “then eventually he swam past me and turned around and swam straight toward me from about 30 feet away. He came up out of the water, then dove down in front of the dinghy I was in.”
Mr. O’Brien was able to take some video on his phone as the porpoise swam around him, but only captured a portion because of how fast it was swimming.
“After that he kinda kept his distance and stayed farther out toward the mooring field,” he said. “This was honestly one of the coolest things I’ve experienced out here on the water.”
Another report of a sighting was received the next morning, to which a staff member responded and successfully located the animal, eventually identified as a harbor porpoise.
NOAA Fisheries describes that particular species of porpoise as an animal often seen in groups of two or three around bays, estuaries, harbors and fjords. They prefer coastal areas and are relatively shy. They typically reach lengths of about 5 to 5½ feet and weigh between 135 and 170 pounds.
Ms. Hunter said the animal appeared to be swimming well throughout the harbor and was left on-site to be monitored. Since last Friday morning, she said, there have been no additional reports or sightings of the animal in the harbor.