Save The Bay counted 590 seals along Rhode Island's coastline over a two-hour span last week.
Scientists, naturalists and volunteers conducted the point-in-time count to establish a minimum estimate of the state's seal population.
July Lewis with Save The Bay says the numbers are a little lower than last year, but the seal population in the mainland area seems to be relatively stable.
The single day count can be affected by weather conditions or what the seals happen to be doing at the time.
(Photo by PETRAS MALUKAS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo: PETRAS MALUKAS / AFP / Getty Images