Research Document - 2005/033

Pup production of non-Sable Island grey seals, in 2004

By Hammill, M.O., J.-F. Gosselin

Abstract

Northwest Atlantic grey seals form a single stock, but are often considered as two groups for management purposes, the Sable Island and Gulf of St. Lawrence herds, named for the location of the main pupping locales. In 2004, visual strip transect surveys were flown over the whelping patches on the ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and counts were completed at islands in the Gulf and along the Nova Scotia Eastern Shore. Pup production estimate for visual strip transect surveys, after correcting for timing of births, was 10,145 (SE=1,930) from surveys flown on 21, 22 and 23 January. Surveys flown on 30 and 31 January and 2 February produced an estimate, corrected for timing of births of 13,819 (SE=1,565). Another 3,204 (SE=76.8) births were estimated on the islands, after correcting for timing of births. Total Gulf and Nova Scotia Eastern Shore pup production in 2004 is estimated at 15,900 (SE=1,200) animals.

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