The Icelandic harbor seal population has shrunken dramatically over the past years. The population has shrunk by a third in the past six years, and by more than two thirds since 1980. The species is not considered endangered globally, but scientists at the Icelandic Marine Research Institute consider the Icelandic population now to be endangered.
A dramatic unexplained population decline
According to a new report published by the Marine Research Institute the population has been shrinking since 1980. In the last seal census conducted by scientists, 3,383 seals were spotted along the Icelandic coast, leading the scientists to estimate that the total population is 7,650 animals.
These numbers are 32% lower than in 2011, and 77% lower than in 1980. Scientists argue that the goal should be for the population to count at least 12,000 individuals.
The reason for the drop in the numbers of seals is unknown. Competition between seals and fishermen for fish is one possible explanation, the report argues, but so is seal hunting. Most of seal hunting now takes place near the estuaries of salmon fishing rivers, where seals are shot to protect salmon.
The Icelandic harbor seal population has shrunken dramatically over the past years. The population has shrunk by a third in the past six years, and by more than two thirds since 1980. The species is not considered endangered globally, but scientists at the Icelandic Marine Research Institute consider the Icelandic population now to be endangered.
A dramatic unexplained population decline
According to a new report published by the Marine Research Institute the population has been shrinking since 1980. In the last seal census conducted by scientists, 3,383 seals were spotted along the Icelandic coast, leading the scientists to estimate that the total population is 7,650 animals.
These numbers are 32% lower than in 2011, and 77% lower than in 1980. Scientists argue that the goal should be for the population to count at least 12,000 individuals.
The reason for the drop in the numbers of seals is unknown. Competition between seals and fishermen for fish is one possible explanation, the report argues, but so is seal hunting. Most of seal hunting now takes place near the estuaries of salmon fishing rivers, where seals are shot to protect salmon.
