Distribution
Harbor seals are found in temperate, sub-arctic, and arctic waters of the North Atlantic and North Pacific oceans
Habitat
Harbor seals inhabit shallow areas of estuaries, rivers, and places where sandbars and beaches are uncovered at low tide.
Migration
Harbor seals do not migrate regularly but will travel in search of feeding grounds.
Population
Scientists estimate that the world harbor seal population currently is between 300,000 and 500,000 seals..
Harbor Seal Distribution & Population
| Subspecies | Distribution | Population |
| P.v. richardsi | eastern Pacific; Pribilof Islands to Baja California, Mexico | 120,000 - 150,000 |
| P.v. stejnegeri | western Pacific; Bering Sea along the Kuril Islands to Hokkaido, Japan | 12,500 - 13,500 |
| P.v. vitulina | northeastern Atlantic; along the European coast from Finland to Portugal, and the coast of Iceland | 68,000 - 100,000 |
| P.v. concolor | western Atlantic; Greenland to the central United States | 90,000 - 100,000 |
| P.v. mellonae | Seal Lakes in Canada (Quebec) | 100 - 600 |