Abstract
The status of Ireland’s harbour seal population and its relationship with that of Britain and Western Europe are poorly understood. Prior to 2003, limited research efforts and poor co-ordination of survey methods fell short at providing an accurate assessment of overall distribution and population size on a regional or national scale. However, in August 2003, the Republic of Ireland’s harbour seal population was assessed by means of a geographically extensive survey conducted during the annual moult, providing an up-to-date minimum population estimate and a reliable baseline for future surveys. Trends on a national scale could not be assessed due to absence of a reliable historic population estimate; however there is some evidence of local decreases and increases in harbour seal numbers in Northern Ireland and southwest Ireland respectively. Research effort to date on aspects of the ecology of the harbour seal in the Republic of Ireland is reviewed and current research and management priorities highlighted.
Highlights
The status of Ireland’s harbour seal population and its relationship with that of Britain and Western Europe are poorly understood
Minimum estimate of the Irish harbour seal population The population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in Ireland was first enumerated by Lockley (1966) who based his minimum estimate of 1,000 on data collected incidentally, during surveys of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), in the autumns of 1964-65
Additional information in the Republic of Ireland was collected by Warner (1983, 1984) and haulout counts were conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government at some well-known sites in the intervening years (Table 1)
Summary
Minimum estimate of the Irish harbour seal population The population of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in Ireland was first enumerated by Lockley (1966) who based his minimum estimate of 1,000 on data collected incidentally, during surveys of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), in the autumns of 1964-65. Additional information in the Republic of Ireland was collected by Warner (1983, 1984) and haulout counts were conducted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government at some well-known sites in the intervening years (Table 1). These counts have varied in location, consistency, timing and methodology and could not provide complete national or island-wide perspectives on population size and distribution. Population monitoring in Northern Ireland has indicated a consistent decline in the breeding population along the County Down coastline
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