Published November 4, 2024 | Version v1
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Survey Results of Harbour Seals in the Wadden Sea in 2024: Sustained declines of both pups and moulting seals

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Aarhus University
  • 2. ROR icon Wageningen Marine Research
  • 3. EDMO icon Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer
  • 4. ROR icon Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein
  • 5. EDMO icon Common Wadden Sea Secretariat
  • 6. Environmental Authority of the free Hanseatic city of Hamburg, National Park Administration
  • 7. ROR icon University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
  • 8. Niedersächsisches Landesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit
  • 9. Esbjerg Fishery and Maritime Museum

Description

Harbour seals observed in the Wadden Sea area are dependent on the North Sea coastal and adjacent offshore areas where they feed and spend most of their time. Seals are, however, difficult to observe or count at sea, whereas accurate counts can be done when they haul out on the sandbanks of the Wadden Sea to rest, moult and breed. To obtain an indication of the status of the population observed in the Wadden Sea, counts of harbour seals and pups hauled out in the entire Wadden Sea area (including Helgoland), are coordinated between the three Wadden Sea countries, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Files

Harbour_Seal_Report_2024.pdf

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