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 Radio tagged ringed seal

In the international ringed seal research project that was initiated as part of the Ringed Seal Year and the Gulf of Finland Year 2014 scientific programme, the first two animals have been provided with radio tags that transmit precise information. Both animals were  captured on a joint expedition in the northern end of the Gulf of Narva, at the Kurgal shallows which is one of the last known areas permanently inhabited by ringed seals in the Gulf of Finland.

 

Two adult male specimens have been caught. The data from them provide unique information on the preferred habitats, the foraging and the relations to the sea ice that is unconditionally needed for sexual reproduction of this population of only a few hundred individuals.

 

The ringed seals of the Gulf of Finland have come under threat of extinction, due to existing under severe anthropogenic pressure and also natural pressure arising from the warm winters; at the same time information on their mode of life is lacking, as also of their needs. 

 

In the coming years the plan is to mark, within the framework of joint expeditions, a total of 8 ringed seals of the Gulf of Finland. The work is supported by: KIK,  MTÜ Pro Mare and the Alexela Group’s initiative Ringed Seal Jump.

 

Ringed seal with smart device