STATUS OF THE HARBOR SEAL PHOCA-VITULINA L IN NORWAY

The current estimate of the number of harbour seal Phoca vitulina in Norwegian waters, including Svalbard, is 4129, based on actual counts of seals at the haul-out sites during the period 1977-88. Comparison with an estimate obtained during the early 1960s indicates that there has been little change in the overall number of harbour seals in Norway during the last 25 years. Three distinct types of habitats are utilized by harbour seals in Norway-open rocky coasts, deep fjords and estuarine sandbanks. The habitat types and the status of legislative protection of harbour seals and their habitats are described.