TMAP Zeehondenpopulaties (WOT-04-009-035.03)

The harbour seal (Phoca vitulina) and the grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) are two pinniped species that are common in the Wadden Sea. The sank banks in the Wadden Sea are important for the seals to breed, moult and rest. Both species are protected in the bird and habitat directive and are managed in the trilateral agreements between Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Knowledge on the population development and distribution are essential for a good protection.

The aim of the seal monitoring project is to count the number of harbour seals and grey seals in the Dutch Wadden Sea. Currently there is a need for information about the stagnation in growth of harbour seals, about the increase in the grey seal numbers in the western Wadden Sea region and about colonization of the grey seal in the rest of the Wadden Sea Region.

The counts are used for conservation plans and other internationally agreed aims. In addition, the Dutch government is interested in species-specific information to determine for instance the effects on seals in the coastal ecosystem and to define the carrying capacity of the area.