Guidelines for monitoring Seal abundance and distribution in the HELCOM area.

Abstract

HELCOM Recommendation 27-28/2 tasks the HELCOM SEAL Expert Group to develop and coordinate monitoring programmes to, among other things, assess the abundance and distribution, and the trends ofthese parameters of the Baltic seal management units. The HELCOM Core Indicators ‘Distribution of Baltic seals’ and ‘Population trends and abundance of seals’ are used to assess the progress of achieving Good Environmental Status in the Baltic Sea based on parameters of seal abundance and distribution. To obtain the objectives of Recommendation 27-28/2 and these core indicators, standardized data from internationally coordinated efforts are necessary. This document describes guidelines for data collection for these needs as recommended by the HELCOM SEAL Expert Group. Annex 1 describes regional applications and modified practises of these recommendations.