Abstract
Cumulative tag loss among 4064 grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups observed on Sable Island was less than 1% during the first 5 months of life, 13% by the end of the first year, and continued to increase with age. Cumulative tag loss among grey seals aged 6 and older was over 40.0%. A double-tagging study indicated that pre-punching of flippers, the colour of tags applied, and application to the left or right flipper significantly affected tag loss. The addition of a flag to the tag had no significant effect. A comparison of scientific observations of tag loss with commercial bounty return data indicated that casual observers probably missed tags on double-tagged animals. Overlooked tags in single-tagging experiments result in population overestimates. In double-tagging experiments, overlooked tags result in correction factor overestimates and population underestimates. Age-specific tag loss correction factors should be used if population estimates include more than one age group.
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