Mercury 115 Weep holes

[merc_outboard_owner]

Hi all. I have an early 90's Mercury 115 2-stroke that I have installed the a new water pump kit it, and when I was test running it in the tank, I noticed that there are two weep holes above the lower unit, that water was being pumped out of. These holes are in the front, one of them is below the steering pivot, the other is behind it pointing forward. Both of these would normally be below water level, and so I am unsure as to whether this is considered normal or not and I have struck out googling? What say the experts? Running about 7 psi water pressure on idle. I have attached a picture for reference.

Thank you!