Survey of grey seals and harbour seals along the coast of Lower Saxony and Hamburg - Aerial survey 2018

grey seals at the beach, photo taken by plane
Project data  
Project leader: Prof. Prof. h. c. Dr. Ursula Siebert
Scientific work: Abbo van Neer
Project term: April 2018 until September 2018
Sponsorship: National Park Administration "Lower Saxony Wadden Sea", Wilhelmshaven
Photo of s group of grey seals during a flight survey
Foto of grey seals, taken by plane. © ITAW, van Neer

Project description

The project aims to count the grey seals and harbour seals occurring in the whole wadden sea of Lower Saxony and Hamburg in spring (April). Aerial surveys will be conducted with single-engine aircrafts on two dates, which are coordinated trilaterally as well as concerted with the client. Haul-out areas will be photographed with a high-resolution reflex camera during the aerial surveys of the wadden sea. These photographs will be evaluated in order to assess the total population. The determined population count and distribution shall serve as base for the creation of grey seal distribution maps for the client.