The recent annual seal count indicates that the Icelandic seal population by Iceland is shrinkig. The Great Seal Count, which is organized by the Icelandic Seal Centre, took place this past weekend. Only found 446 animals were counted, which is the lowest number recorded since the Great Seal Count started nine years ago.
The Great Seal Count, which is performed by volunteers, takes place along the beaches of Húnaflói bay in North-Western Iceland. Despite a record number of participants in the count this year, fewer seals were spotted than ever before.
Awful weather might be a factor
Sandra Granquist, an ecologist working at the Seal Centre, told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the finding provides strong indication that the seal population in Iceland is in decline. However, she admits the finding is perhaps not completely reliable.
The awful weather on Sunday probably had an effect, because seals are less likely to swim to shore when strong winds are blowing or it is raining.
The weather over the weekend was indeed both rainy and windy in addition to fog, which made spotting seals harder. Despite this she argues the numbers suggest the seal population is in decline, pointing out that last year‘s count had similarly disappointing results.
Total population evaluation not performed since 2011
The Seal Centre has not received funding for a comprehensive scientific count of the seal population around Iceland since 2011. At that time the total population of harbour seals, the most common type of seal in Iceland, was estimated at just under 12 thousand animals, and had remained constant since 2003.
The results of the most recent Great Seal Counts in Húnaflói bay suggests the population might be in decline. According to the Seal Centre this year‘s number is significantly lower than former counts in 2007-2014, when between 614 and 757 seals were counted.
The recent annual seal count indicates that the Icelandic seal population by Iceland is shrinkig. The Great Seal Count, which is organized by the Icelandic Seal Centre, took place this past weekend. Only found 446 animals were counted, which is the lowest number recorded since the Great Seal Count started nine years ago.
The Great Seal Count, which is performed by volunteers, takes place along the beaches of Húnaflói bay in North-Western Iceland. Despite a record number of participants in the count this year, fewer seals were spotted than ever before.
Awful weather might be a factor
Sandra Granquist, an ecologist working at the Seal Centre, told the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service that the finding provides strong indication that the seal population in Iceland is in decline. However, she admits the finding is perhaps not completely reliable.
The awful weather on Sunday probably had an effect, because seals are less likely to swim to shore when strong winds are blowing or it is raining.
The weather over the weekend was indeed both rainy and windy in addition to fog, which made spotting seals harder. Despite this she argues the numbers suggest the seal population is in decline, pointing out that last year‘s count had similarly disappointing results.
Total population evaluation not performed since 2011
The Seal Centre has not received funding for a comprehensive scientific count of the seal population around Iceland since 2011. At that time the total population of harbour seals, the most common type of seal in Iceland, was estimated at just under 12 thousand animals, and had remained constant since 2003.
The results of the most recent Great Seal Counts in Húnaflói bay suggests the population might be in decline. According to the Seal Centre this year‘s number is significantly lower than former counts in 2007-2014, when between 614 and 757 seals were counted.
