Islanders asked to help find out more about the seal population

Islanders are being asked document sightings of seals as part of an inter-island study to better understand the species' life cycles in local waters Picture: Kevin McIlwee (35672584)

ISLANDERS are being asked to document sightings of seals as part of an inter-island study to better understand the species’ life cycles in local waters.

Jersey Marine Conservation volunteers are among those conducting regular surveys looking at seal community size and behaviour in the Channel Islands.

Other participating groups include the Jersey International Centre of Advanced Studies, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Alderney Wildlife Trust and the Société Jersiaise, with the assistance of Ports of Jersey and Marine Resources.

JMC chairman Kevin McIlwee said that Islanders could also get involved by emailing jerseymarineconservation@gmail.com if they spot a seal. ‘Photographs, particularly showing neck patterns, are very useful. We need date, time, where, how many, what were they doing? If possible, males, females and pups. All data will be added to the Jersey Centre For Biodiversity database and accessible to anyone wanting to learn about population trends.

‘We particularly need volunteers skilled with powerful-lens cameras to help. Check out JMC’s website and Facebook for updates and info.’

The research is intended to help find out whether the local seal population is declining and the extent to which their communities are being impacted by human activity.

‘How much the progressive increase in boat traffic and visitors is disturbing the key community sites is challenging to ascertain,’ Mr McIlwee explained, noting that the Ecréhous reef was among the more popular seal habitats.

‘The Ecréhous colony size in 2022 was smaller on average than previous records suggest. In recent years the community has dispersed to more isolated locations. Even on our Island’s remote reefs, the seals are selecting sites where access by boats and humans is difficult.’

The three-year study of the isolated seal communities will involve monthly visits to the various sites by JMC volunteers.

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