| dc.description.abstract | The outer coastline from Bømlafjorden to Jæren and Lysefjorden in
Rogaland were surveyed 29 May-5 June. Another survey was carried
out on the coast of Finnmark from Varangerfjorden to Sørøya 26
June-7 July 1981.
In Rogaland a total of 75 common seals was recorded. The seals
were most abundant in the Kvitsøy-Håsteinen area (38 seals) and in
Lysefjorden (27 seals). In Kongsfjorden, Finnmark, 23 pups were
observed (corresponding to a total stock in excess of 100 seals).
Another colony of common seals was found at Sørøya (20 seals), and
common seals were also seen in Varangerfjorden, Tanafjorden and
Kobbfjorden.
Concentrations of grey seals were found in the Espevær-Utsira area
(36 seals) and at Kjør (60 seals) in Rogaland, and in Syltefjorden
(40 seals) and at Sørøya (70 seals) in Finnmark. Scattered seals
or small groups were also seen outside these areas.
Due to adverse weather conditions very few common seals were
observed during the surveys, and the numbers recorded probably are
significantly lower than actual stocks. So far, the available data
are insufficient to assess the stocks of common seals in Rogaland
and Finnmark. However, the observations of grey seals indicate an
increase from assessed stocks in the early 1960-ies.
Stomachs from a total of ten common seals and nine grey seals were
examined during the surveys. Haddock, sand eels and flatfishes
were identified in the common seals, while the grey seal stomachs
contained catfish, saithe, haddock, herring, lumpsucker, sand eels
and flatfishes. The maximum volume of stomach contents found in a
common sea1 was 4 1, and volumes up to 6 l were recorded in grey
seals.
The average infestation of parasitic nematodes in the stomachs of
examined common seals was 64 worms, while the average infestation
in the grey seals was 492 worms.
An aerial survey to count whitecoated grey seal pups was carried
out 7 November in Rogaland. No pup or concentration of grey seals
was observed, and if grey seals do produce pups in Rogaland,
pupping probably occurs in early Octoher.
Aerial surveys were also carried out along the coast of Finnmark
28 and 29 October. No grey seal pup was found, and the surveys
were repeated 17-20 November. At that time concentrations of grey
seals were ohserved on shore at the presumed breeding localities.
It therefore seems likely that pupping in Finnmark occurs later
than 20 November. | en |
