The Davis Strait - DCE - Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi

Figure 4.8.4. Harp seal distribution
and numbers associated with
known whelping areas.
130
70°N
60°N
50°N
140°W
7-8 mill.
160°W
67°E
60°W 50°W
40°W
50°E
800,000
1.1 mill.
Critical and important habitats: Harp seals are found in all parts of the assessment
area during most of the year and a large fraction of the population migrates
through the assessment area during summer and autumn. Highest
concentrations are, however, seen along the ice edge during mid-winter.
Sensitivity: Non-breeding harp seals are less sensitive to oil spills and disturbance
than breeding seals, but they can be severely affected by tissue
damage and poisoning.
Bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus
Distribution and numbers: Bearded seals are widespread in the Arctic, but only
little is known about their numbers and seasonal changes in distribution.
Male bearded seals vocalise a lot during the breeding season in spring and
individual seals can be recognised by their ‘song’. Long-term studies of
bearded seal vocalisation show a high degree of site fidelity among male
bearded seals (Risch et al. 2007). Seasonal changes in the densities of bearded
seals in some areas do, however, indicate that at least part of the population
(probably mainly the adult females and young animals) move around. These
distribution changes seem to be linked to the seasonal changes in the sea ice
conditions. Bearded seals do make breathing holes, but only in relatively
thin ice. Seals that summer in areas with thick winter ice therefore either
30°W
60°N
50°N
Whelping and moulting area
Fall - Winter
Spring - Summer
0 500 1,000 Km