Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-v9fdk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-13T01:44:49.417Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

What future for European seals now the epidemic is over?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2009

Mark Simmonds
Mark Simmonds
Affiliation:
Greenpeace Research Associate, School of Biological Sciences, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK.
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The European seal epidemic killed approximately 60 per cent of harbour or common seals Phoca vitulina in the colonies of the Wadden Sea, Kattegat–Skagerrak and the Norfolk Wash. High mortality was also observed elsewhere. The die-off peaked in 1988 and few affected seals have been reported subsequently. But what of the future? Is the marine environment still able to support healthy seal populations; is there enough suitable habitat for them; is there enough food; what is the impact of pollution on them; and why has no new legislation been implemented to protect them?

Type
Research Article
Information
Oryx , Volume 25 , Issue 1 , January 1991 , pp. 27 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © Fauna and Flora International 1991

References

Avery, M. and Green, R. 1989. Not enough fish in the sea. New Scientist, 22 07, 28–29.Google Scholar
Baker, J.R. 1989. Pollution-associated uterine lesions in grey seals from the Liverpool Bay area of the Irish Sea. The Veterinary Record, 9, 303.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bergman, A., Harkonen, T., Klingeborn, B. and Olsson, M. 1988. Valpsjuka hos sal. Viltnytt, 26, 16–23.Google Scholar
Brouwer, A., Reijnders, P.J.H. and Koeman, J.H. 1989. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated fish induced vitamin A and thyroid hormone deficiency in the common seal (Phoca vitulina). Aquatic Toxicology, 15, 99–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dietz, R., Heide-Jorgensen, M-P. and Harkonen, T. 1989. Mass deaths of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) in Europe. Ambio, 18, 258–264.Google Scholar
Earle, M. 1989. Harp seals and the Northern Cod Stock: Brief to the Northern Cod Review Panel. 20 10 1989, 9pp.Google Scholar
Eis, D. 1989. Simplification in the etiology of recent seal deaths. Ambio, 18, 144.Google Scholar
Geraci, , 1989. Clinical investigation of the 1987–88 mass mortality of bottlenose dolphins along the US central and South Atlantic Coast. Final Report to NMFS, USNONR and MMC, 62 pp.Google Scholar
Harwood, J. 1990. What have we learned from the 1988 seal epidemic? Biologist, 37, 7–8.Google Scholar
Harwood, J., Carter, S.D., Hughes, D.E., Bell, S.C., Baker, J.R. and Cornwell, H.J.C. 1989. Seal disease predictions. Nature, 339, 670.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Harwood, J. and Croxall, J.P. 1988. The assessment of competition between seals and commercial fisheries in the North Sea and the Atlantic. Marine Mammal Science, 4, 13–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harwood, J. and Grenfell, B. 1990. Long term risks of recurrent seal plagues. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 21, 284–287.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kennedy, S., Smyth, J.A., Cush, P.F., McCullough, S.J., Allan, G.M. and McQuaid, S. 1988. Viral distemper now found in porpoises. Nature, 336, 21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Krogsrud, J., Evensen, O., Holt, G., Hoie, S. and Markussen, N.H. 1990. Seal distemper in Norway in 1988 and 1989. The Veterinary Record, 126, 460–161.Google Scholar
Lavigne, D.M. and Schmitz, O.J. 1990. Global warming and increasing population densities: a perception for seal plagues. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 21, 280–284.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Northridge, S. 1988. Marine Mammals and Fisheries: A Study of Conflicts with Fishing Gear in British Waters. Report to the Wildlife Link Seals Group. 140pp.Google Scholar
Osterhaus, A.D.M.E. and Vedder, E.J. 1988. Identification of a virus causing recent seal deaths. Nature, 335, 20.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reijnders, P.J.H. 1980. Organochlorine and heavy metal residues in harbour seals from the Wadden Sea and their possible effects on reproduction. Netherlands Journal of Sea Research, 14, 30–65.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Reijnders, P.J.H. (ed) 1989. Proceedings of International Workshop Seal Disease Epidemic.Google Scholar
Ross, A. 1988. Controlling nature's predators on fish farms. A report for the Marine Conservation Society. 96 pp.Google Scholar
Safe, S. 1984. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs): biochemistry, toxicology and mechanism of action. CRC Critical Review of Toxicology, 13, 319–395.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed