Popeye (seal)
Popeye is a female harbor seal that has become the official seal of Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.
Biography
Since 1995, Popeye has been a frequent visitor to Friday Harbor. Her visits became so common that in 2005, the Port of Friday Harbor named her the port's official seal.[1] The State of Washington mandated that each public port have an "official seal," possibly thinking of an ink stamp; the Port director and Port commission: Greg Hertel, Brian Calvert and Mike Ahrenius interpreted this differently giving the beloved seal the title. A granite sculpture of Popeye was also commissioned and stands in Fairweather Park, adjacent to the marina.
She is known as Popeye presumably for her left eye which is a cloudy white—something that has also been reflected in her statue.
Popeye is a major attraction for the town of Friday Harbor, but few people know that it's against the law - as enforced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - to feed any marine mammal in Washington state waters.
Popeye was featured on 92.9 KISM's Brad and John show, "When Animals Attack," on Wednesday, August 18, 2017. Popeye, the 200+ lb seal, attacked a man on Thursday, August 10th in the Friday Harbor Marina.[2]
Gallery
Popeye in 2005
Statue of Popeye in Fairweather Park, Friday Harbor