Harbour Seal Numbers in the Wadden Sea and on Helgoland in 2004 and 2005

Trilateral Seal Expert Group (TSEG)

Following the Trilateral Seal Management Plan, harbour seals in the Wadden Sea are monitored annually by a series of fi ve aerial surveys. The 2003 census has shown the extent of the 2002 distemper mass mortality. The 2004 counting data documents the fi rst step of the recovery of the seal stock. In 2005, the total number of seals counted during the moult period in August was 14,275.

Authors:

Trilateral Seal Expert Group (TSEG)
Kai F. Abt, Wildlife Consulting, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany;
Svend Tougaard, Fiskeri- og Søfartmuseet, Esbjerg, Denmark;
Sophie M.J.M. Brasseur, Alterra-Marine & Coastal Zone Research, Texel, The Netherlands;
Peter J.H. Reijnders, Alterra-Marine & Coastal Zone Research, Texel, The Netherlands;
Ursula Siebert, FTZ-Büsum der Universität Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany;
Michael Stede, LAVES Cuxhaven, Niedersachsen, Germany.