Report of joint Russian/Norwegian aerial surveys in the Barents Sea in September 2001

Abstract

The distribution of harp seals in the Barents Sea has been recorded based on incidental sightings from Norwegian and Russian research vessels, Norwegian fishing and coast guard vessels, from Russian aerial surveys (Haug et al. 1994), and from satellite tagged seals (Erling Nordoey, University of Tromsoe, pers. commn.). However, possible overlap in the distribution of harp seals and capelin in early autumn has not been studied. Data on potential harp seal predation on capelin are important in multispecies modelling. Therefore, in September 2001, aerial surveys aimed to study possible overlap between harp seals and capelin were conducted simultaneously with the annual joint Norwegian/Russian acoustic survey of pelagic fish in the Barents Sea. Two Norwegian and two Russian research vessels took part in the survey which covered most of the Barents Sea