The grey seal, Halichoerus grypus (Fabricius), in Rogaland, Norway

Abstract

Surveys of grey seals in Rogaland, southwestern Norway, are reviewed. The highest numbers of adult seals have been observed in the spring, while far less are generally observed during the breeding season in the autumn. Pupping has been recorded, but it is rare in relation to the number of seals observed in the spring. The nearest breeding site of grey seals in Norway is at Froan, about 680 km to the north. The southernmost recovery of pups tagged at Froan is about 300 km north of the pupping sites in Rogaland. There are many recoveries in western Norway of grey seal pups tagged in Great Britain. There is, however, no information suggesting that British seals are being recruited to Norwegian breeding stocks or are establishing new breeding colonies on the Norwegian coast. It is reasonable to assume that most of the grey seals found in Rogaland in the spring are British and return to Britain in the breeding season. It is not known whether the recorded breedings in Rogaland are stragglers from British colonies or relate to a local stock.