A review of the status of harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina ) in the Northeast United States of America

摘要: We conducted a review of the literature and unpublished databases to describe distribution, abundance, ecology status harbour seals ( Phoca vitulina concolor ) in U.S. Atlantic waters. The seal is most abundant widespread species this area. Since passage Marine Mammal Protection Act 1972, number observed during pupping season region has increased from about 10,500 animals 1981 38,000 2001 (uncorrected counts), an average annual rate 6.6%. This increase been relatively consistent over 20 years, there no indication that population size stabilized. Correspondingly, seasonal distribution expanded interactions between anthropogenic activities have increased.