ROCKPORT — The Maine Marine Patrol is investigating what witnesses are saying was the intentional harming of a seal in Rockport’s inner harbor Aug. 13.

According to Marine Patrol officer Wesley Dean, a man steering a wooden skiff in the vicinity of the Rockport Boat Club dock allegedly hit and ran over a seal.

“He was coming in from a boat,” said Dean.

Dean was in Rockland and arrived in Rockport soon after the call came reporting the incident, around 11:30 a.m.

“We do not know the condition of the seal,” he said.

As of Aug. 14, the seal had yet to be seen in the harbor, according to Rockport Harbor Master Abbie Leonard.

“We are still trying to figure out what happened,” said Dean. “More people are still coming forward.”

The man, who has yet to be identified, was alone in the skiff.

The severity of the incident lies in the fact that seals are a protected species under the Marine Mammal Act.

Should there be reason to prosecute, Dean and the Maine Marine Patrol will likely turn the case over to the National Marine Fisheries Service.

“They are more suited to prosecute,” said Dean.

Editorial Director Lynda Clancy can be reached at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657