Publication - Research and analysis

Harbour and grey seals: distribution maps

Published: 10 February 2025
From: Director of Offshore Wind, +3 more … Acting Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero and Energy, Director of Marine, Director-General Net Zero
Directorate: Offshore Wind Directorate, +1 more … Marine Directorate
Topic: Energy, Environment and climate change, Marine and fisheries
ISBN: 9781836019855

This study presents updated at-sea distribution maps for both harbour and grey seals in Scotland to inform marine spatial planning. The maps are generated using regional habitat preference relationships derived from new tracking data and estimates of seal abundance.

Supporting documents

List of Tables & Figures

Figure 1: Trends in harbour seal abundance in Shetland during the annual moult

Figure 2: Schematic representation of methods relating to seal distribution estimation

Figure 3: Tracks of 26 harbour seals tagged in Shetland

Figure 4: Tracking data for seals hauling out in Scotland

Figure 5: Harbour seal distribution estimates

Figure 6: Grey seal distribution estimates

Figure 7: Comparison of predictions for Shetland harbour seal distribution

Table 1: Overview of differences in methods between previous and current approaches

Table 2: Comparison of count data used in previous and current versions

Contact

Email: ScotMER@gov.scot

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