Article
Environmental Sciences
Gwyneth A. MacMillan, Marc Amyot, Pierre-Yves Daoust, Melanie Lemire
Summary: In this study, we measured trace elements and mercury distribution in grey seals from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, and found a bioaccumulation pattern in different age groups. The concentrations of elements were lower in the muscles and livers of young-of-the-year seals compared to older ones feeding at sea. There were no significant sex-specific differences, but some elements showed higher concentrations in male seals.
Article
Environmental Sciences
David G. Watson, Patrick P. Pomeroy, Malcolm W. Kennedy
Summary: Mothers of the Atlantic grey seal lactate for about 20 days, leaving their pups unattended and unfed for up to another 40 days after weaning. Metabolomic analysis of the seals' milk reveals continuous changes in key metabolites from birth to weaning, indicating a transition from carbohydrate to fat-based energy metabolism in pups and establishment of gut microbiomes for post-weaning development and fasting.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Esa Lehtonen, Roope Lehmonen, Joel Kostensalo, Mika Kurkilahti, Petri Suuronen
Summary: Testing the feasibility and effectiveness of acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs) in Baltic salmon trap-net fisheries, this study found that using ADDs can significantly reduce seal-induced catch losses, with an average increase of 64% in salmon catches over a two-year period. The research suggests that ADD is a useful and economically viable tool for reducing seal-induced catch losses in trap-net fisheries.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Economics
Tin-Yu Lai, Marko Lindroos, Lone Gronbaek, Atso Romakkaniemi
Summary: This paper developed an age-structured multispecies bio-economic model to study the impact of grey seal, salmon, and herring food web relations on fisheries in the Baltic Sea. Results show that increasing seal population and low herring stock could pose a serious threat to salmon fisheries, with a trade-off between herring and salmon fisheries. The study highlights the importance of considering ecosystem dynamics and different management strategies in fisheries management.
ENVIRONMENTAL & RESOURCE ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Neil M. Burns, Charlotte R. Hopkins, Maria Martina Quaggiotto, Dominic J. McCafferty, David M. Bailey
Summary: Decomposing organic matter is crucial for energy and nutrient recycling in ecosystems, but the role of animal carrion biomass in ecosystem functioning is poorly understood. This study examined a grey seal breeding colony on the Isle of May in Scotland and found that they contribute significantly to the carrion biomass available in the surrounding marine systems.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
L. Puchades, S. E. Gallego-Rios, A. Di Marzio, E. Martinez-Lopez
Summary: This study evaluated the concentrations of trace elements in the blood of gray seals stranded in the Gulf of Riga and assessed their impact on health through hematological and biochemical profiles. While significant positive correlations were found, the trace element levels were not high enough to have toxicological implications.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Biology
Amanda L. Stansbury, Vincent M. Janik
Summary: Pinnipeds, especially grey seals, demonstrate advanced copying skills in vocal learning, particularly in formant structure. The differential response of different groups suggests that vocal production learning is used to achieve conformity, potentially causing geographical variation in seal calls through horizontal cultural transmission.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biology
Nienke Hoeksema, Laura Verga, Janine Mengede, Corne van Roessel, Stella Villanueva, Anna Salazar-Casals, Ana Rubio-Garcia, Branislava Curcic-Blake, Sonja C. Vernes, Andrea Ravignani
Summary: Grey seals serve as a promising model species for studying the neurobiological basis of vocal learning, displaying similarities to humans in brain structure and cortical thickness. By investigating the grey seal brain, researchers aim to bridge the gap in understanding the neural and genetic underpinnings of mammalian vocal learning.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Anna Loseva, Olga Chirkova, Vlada Shakhnazarova
Summary: In this study, the haul-out patterns of the Baltic grey seal in the coastal area near Saint Petersburg were investigated. The seals were found to occupy stony banks near Kotlin Island and were most active from July to November. Human disturbances, particularly powerboats, significantly decreased the seal population. The seals coexisted with seabirds and were attracted to the area by a diverse range of prey items in the estuary of the Neva River.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Helen S. Chadwick, James E. F. Barnett, Abby Crosby, Anthea Hawtrey-Collier, Victoria J. Hobson, Lucy C. M. Omeyer, Ruth Williams, Brendan J. Godley
Summary: Changes in grey seal strandings in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly over a 21-year period indicate a significant increase in abundance. The observed seasonality of strandings coincided with important life phases, and most strandings occurred on the north coast of Cornwall. Long-term citizen science data proved valuable for assessing the distribution and abundance of marine top predators.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Christina M. McCosker, Zachary H. Olson, Kathryn A. Ono
Summary: This study compares two non-invasive methods, metabarcoding and hard parts analysis, to study the diet of grey seals. The results show that metabarcoding detects a greater diversity and frequency of prey, while hard parts analysis more frequently detects specific prey. Combining both methods increased the number of prey detections, with a total of 32 prey taxa identified.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Suzanne McGill, Richard J. S. Burchmore, Patrick P. Pomeroy, Malcolm W. Kennedy
Summary: A study found that neonates of true, phocid seals have significantly lower levels of serum immunoglobulins and acute phase proteins compared to their mothers. This difference in early life immune protection raises questions about the mechanisms that protect these neonates and the adaptive value of their seeming vulnerability.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hannah M. E. Wyles, Lars Boehme, Debbie J. F. Russell, Matt I. D. Carter
Summary: Understanding how marine predators find patchily distributed prey resources in a dynamic environment is crucial for ecosystem-level conservation management. In this study, the influence of geomorphology on the habitat use of grey seals was examined using GPS tracking data, and it was found that certain types of seabed features had a significant impact on the transition from travelling to foraging behavior.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Cornelia E. den Heyer, W. Don Bowen, Julian Dale, Jean-Francois Gosselin, Michael O. Hammill, David W. Johnston, Shelley L. C. Lang, Kimberly T. Murray, Garry B. Stenson, Stephanie A. Wood
Summary: The study found that the northwest Atlantic subspecies of gray seal has been increasing over the past half century and has reestablished breeding colonies, with Sable Island being the largest producer of pups. Regional differences in pup production trends are evident, with Sable Island's growth rate slowing down while newer breeding colonies in southwest Nova Scotia and the northeastern United States are rapidly increasing.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Baecklin Britt-Marie, Persson Sara, Faxneld Suzanne, Riget F. Frank, Roos M. Anna
Summary: The prevalence of intestinal ulcers and parasites in grey seals in the Baltic Sea was significantly higher compared to those outside the Baltic Sea. The frequency of intestinal ulcers was found to be related to the intensity of acanthocephalan parasites, the age of the seals, and the region of the Baltic Sea.