Resources

Ringed Seal and Harbour Population Data (1989-)

Data set information

| Query EDMED |     

General  
Data holding centreSwedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
CountrySweden  Sweden
Time period1988 - ongoing
OngoingYes
Geographical area

Skagerrak, Kattegat, Baltic Proper, Gulf of Bothnia

Observations 
Parameters

Seal abundance

Description 
Summary

The study is part of the National Environmental Monitoring Programme and focuses on the population development of ringed seals and harbour seals in the Kattegat-Skagerrak. Both species are top-predators in respective ecosystems, and thus vulnerable for bioaccumulating substances. Ringed seal females have suffered from reproductive disturbances since the 1960s and 30 to 40% were still sterile at the beginning of the 1990s. The reproductive capacity of the population is the main reason for the hampered development of the stock. Increasing prevalence of bone lesions (paradontitis and exostosis) since the 1960s has been documented in the Baltic and west coast populations of harbour seals. Also these changes are most probably caused by exposure to environmental pollutants. Trends in developments of the populations are used for detecting changes in the ecosystem. The reproductive output is measured in all regions of harbour seal distribution.

OriginatorsSwedish Museum of Natural History
References

Harkonen, T (1997) BIOMAD 6.4. Seal Population Data from the West Coast Area 1989-1995,

Data web sitehttp://www.smhi.se
Availability 
OrganisationSwedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
AvailabilityUnrestricted
ContactPatrik Stromberg (Shark data manager)
Address

Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
Folkborgsvagen 1
Norrkoping

SE-601 76
Sweden

Telephone+46-31-751 89 75
Facsimile+46-(0)11-495 80 01
Emailshark@smhi.se
Administration 
Collating centreSwedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute
Local identifier18007004
Global identifier85
Last revised2015-08-26
StatusDeprecated