SACO — Eleven seals, all dead, washed up on Saco beaches between Sunday night and Monday morning. Along with the seals, massive amounts of seaweed also washed ashore.

Saco Parks and Recreation Department Director Ryan Sommer said eight of the marine mammals were found on the beach at Kinney Shores, three others were discovered at Bayview. Ten of the seals were pups, he said, and one was an adult.

The first report to police dispatch came at 7:30 a.m. Monday by someone walking the beach, Sommer said. There were no beached seals when lifeguards left their posts  at 5 p.m. Sunday.

When he learned of the reports, Sommer said, he called Marine Mammals of Maine which rescues and finds rehabilitation centers for live seals. “They sent down a volunteer … but because (the seals) were dead for a (significant) period of time” the volunteer said he didn’t think the center could determine the reason for the deaths and didn’t take any seals back to the office for testing, according to Sommer.

Calls to the Marine Mammals of Maine were not returned prior to press time.

Sommer said he asked to be informed if the organization finds anything regarding the seal deaths.

Despite the number of dead seals that washed up on the beaches, Sommer said he doesn’t think beach visitors have cause for alarm at either Bayview or Kinney Shores. “I am very, very, very confident our beaches are safe,” he said.

“We test our water every day,” Sommer said, “as part of the Maine Healthy Beaches Program,” a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Test results come back in 24 hours, and all recent tests report that bacteria levels are in the safe range.

When testing to determine the health of a beach, according to the healthy beaches’ website, “several relevant factors are considered, including water quality history, potential or actual sources of pollution, current conditions and water test results. Tools used for assessing conditions at a beach include routine monitoring and data analysis, a Risk Assessment Matrix, special studies and sanitary survey work. Environmental impacts considered include nearby waste disposal, storm water runoff, public restroom facilities, the presence of dogs or wildlife on the beach, beach usage, boating activity, etc.”

The city’s Department of Public Works disposed of the seals, Sommer said, and the beach was cleared by about 2:30 p.m. Monday. According to the Fire Department, public works brought the carcasses to Benson Farm in Gorham which composts sea animals and seafood waste among other products.

In addition to the seals, significant amounts of seaweed also washed up on Saco beaches. Sommer said he’s not sure why that occurred. There were no reports of major storms in recent days or high waves, he said. Sommer said he hopes the seaweed will be gone in several tidal cycles. “What nature brings in, nature brings out,” he said.

Unlike some area beaches Saco doesn’t have a permit from the state to rake the beach. Since his arrival in Saco about eight months ago, Sommer said, there has been no discussion about applying for a beach raking permit, although as a result of the recent incident that could change.

—Associate Editor Dina Mendros can be reached at 282-1535, ext. 324, or dmendros@journaltribune.com.

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