Common Seals   Information on Dead Seals in the North Sea, Wadden Sea and the Kattegat/Skagerrak Area in 2002 Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, Wilhelmshaven Recent Status Reports Reports October 2002 Status Report No. 42 (31.10.02) Status Report No. 41 (25.10.02) Status Report No. 40 (16.10.02) Status Report No. 39 (11.10.02) Status Report No. 38 (08.10.02) Status Report No. 37 (02.10.02) Previous Reports: No. 1 - 12 (May-June 2002) No. 13 - 20 (July 2002) No 21 - 28 (August 2002) No 29 - 36 (September 2002) Trilateral Seal Expert Meeting (Hamburg, 6 June 2002)   Status Report No. 42 (31.10.2002): In the Kattegat/Skagerrak area the epizootic is mainly over. Also in the entire Wadden Sea, the number of found dead seals is decreasing or has stagnated, except over the stormy days (24.-29.10.02) the numbers increased again, especially in Schleswig-Holstein. The found carcasses are mainly rather old rotten, but there are also some moribund animals, which were put to death. That means, the virus is still active. In the Danish Limfjord as well as in the United Kingdom still many seals die. Between 23 and 29 October there have been 116 dead seals reported around the United Kingdom bringing the total to 2,980 since the beginning of the outbreak. Detailed information on a regional breakdown of dead seal numbers and positive pdv cases in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compiled by the Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK on 30.10.02 (http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk) Remark: The next Seal Report will be compile in the beginning of week 47.   Table: Phocine distemper epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 41 (25.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 42 (31.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 about 2,155 (22.10.2002) 2,174 (29.10.02)   Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 3,681 (23.10.2002) 3,783 (29.10.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 260 (21.10.2002) 261 (29.10.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 2,790 (24.10.02) 3206 (30.10.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 873 (24.10.02) 937 (29.10.02) Wadden Sea Total   about 9,760 about 10,360 Helgoland 11 August 2002 268 (24.10.02) 270 (30.10.02) Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,037 (24.10.02) epizootic mainly over no new figures available 2,037 (24.10.02) epizootic mainly over Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) epizootic mainly over   epizootic mainly over Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) epizootic mainly over   epizootic mainly over Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.915 about 6.915 DK- Limfjord about 18.09.2002 315 (24.10.02) no new figures available 315 (24.10.02) Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland about 13.09.2002   91 (24.10.02)   no new figures available 91 (24.10.02) German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 11 (07.10.02) no changes  (24.10.02) 11 (07.10.02) no changes  (30.10.02) Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 21 (10.10.02) no changes  (24.10.02) 21 (10.10.02) no changes  (30.10.02) United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 2,845 (24.10.2002) 2,980 (30.10.2002) All Areas                   TOTAL   about 20,225 about 20,965   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Further Links The Netherlands: Dutch Ministy for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries Germany Nationalparkamt Schleswig-Holstein / Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersachen  Denmark Danish Forest and Nature Agency Others Seal Mammal Research Unit (Scotland, UK) Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory (Sweden)     Top of Page   Information on Phocine Distemper Virus in the United Kingdom   30th October 2002 by Catriona Stephenson, Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland, UK,  http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk Between 23 October and 29 October there have been 116 dead seals reported around the UK bringing the total to 2980 since the beginning of the outbreak (see figures for country breakdown). CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF DEAD SEAL REPORTS FROM THE UK WEEKLY TOTAL OF DEAD SEAL REPORTS FROM THE UK Regional breakdown of dead seals and positive PDV cases in England. Scotland: A total of 253 dead seals have now been reported around Scotland. Post-mortem examinations have been carried out on 22 animals (18 common seals and 4 grey seals), 4 of which have been confirmed as positive for PDV (3 common seals and 1 grey seal) (see Figure 4 for regional breakdown). Regional breakdown of dead seals and positive PDV cases in Scotland. Wales: A total of 94 dead seals have been reported from around Wales, 6 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 1 case has been confirmed as negative for PDV and the results from the other 5 are pending (see Figure 5 for regional breakdown). Regional breakdown of dead seals and positive PDV cases in Wales. Northern Ireland: A total of 47 dead seals have been reported from around Northern Ireland, 4 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 1 case has been confirmed as positive for PDV, 1 case has been confirmed as negative for PDV and the results from the other 2 are pending (see Figure 3 for regional breakdown). Regional breakdown of dead seals and positive PDV cases in Northern Ireland.   Status Report No. 41 (25.10.2002): In the Kattegat/Skagerrak area the epizootic is mainly over. In the Danish Limfjord still many seals die. In the Dutch-German-Danish Wadden Sea as well as on Helgoland the number of found dead seals is decreasing or has stagnated on a low level over the last weeks/days. Due to stormy weather more dead seals have again been registered yesterday in Schleswig-Holstein. However, among the found dead seals, there were only a few fresh ones. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 16 October and 22 October there have been 195 dead seals reported around the UK bringing the total to 2,845 since the beginning of the outbreak. Detailed information on regional breakdown of dead seals and positive pdv cases in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are listed below. (24.10.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK)  Phocine distemper epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 40 (16.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 41 (25.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 about 2,141 (14.10.2002) 2,155 (22.10.02)   Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 3,519 (15.10.2002) 3,681(23.10.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 256 (15.10.2002) 260 (21.10.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 2,676 (14.10.2002) 2,790 (24.10.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 > 852 (15.10.2002) 873 (24.10.02) Wadden Sea Total   about 9,444 about 9,760         Helgoland 11 August 2002 260 (15.10.2002) 268 (24.10.02)         Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) 2,037 (24.10.02) epizootic mainly over Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) epizootic mainly over Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) epizootic mainly over Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900 about 6.915         DK- Limfjord about 18.09.2002 170 (04.10.2002) 315 (24.10.02)         Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland about 13.09.2002   11 (26.09.2002) 91 (24.10.02)   German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 11 (07.10.02) 11 (07.10.02) no changes  (24.10.02)         Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 21 (10.10.02) 21 (10.10.02) no changes  (24.10.02)         United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 2,653 (16.10.2002) 2,845 (24.10.2002)         All Areas                   TOTAL   about 19,470 about 20,225   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Top of Page   Information on Phocine Distemper Virus in the the United Kingdom (24th October) by Catriona Stephenson, Sea Mammal Research Unit, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland, UK,  For mor details see under:  http://www.smru.st-and.ac.uk Between 16 October and 22 October there have been 195 dead seals reported around the UK bringing the total to 2845 since the beginning of the outbreak England: In the last week there have been 155 dead seals reported from the English coast bringing the total to 2451.  This represents a gradual decline in weekly dead seal reports within England since a peak of 431 in the week 11-17 September  (see Figure 2).  38 seals (37 common and 1 grey) have been confirmed as positive for PDV (see Figure 3 for regional breakdown). Scotland: A total of 253 dead seals have now been reported around Scotland.  Post-mortem examinations have been carried out on 22 animals (18 common seals and 4 grey seals), 4 of which have been confirmed as positive for PDV (3 common seals and 1 grey seal) (see Figure 4 for regional breakdown). Wales: A total of 94 dead seals have been reported from around Wales, 6 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 1 case has been confirmed as negative for PDV and the results from the other 5 are pending (see Figure 5 for regional breakdown). Northern Ireland: A total of 47 dead seals have been reported from around Northern Ireland, 4 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 1 case has been confirmed as positive for PDV, 1 case has been confirmed as negative for PDV and the results from the other 2 are pending (see Figure 3 for regional breakdown).   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Further Links The Netherlands: Dutch Ministy for Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries Germany Nationalparkamt Schleswig-Holstein / Nationalparkverwaltung Niedersachen  Denmark Danish Forest and Nature Agency Others Seal Mammal Research Unit (Scotland, UK) Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory (Sweden)     Top of Page Status Report No. 40 (16.10.2002): NEWS Wadden Sea The number of found dead seals in the Wadden Sea, fortunately, has stagnated on a low level over the last weeks/days. Among the found dead seals, there were only a few fresh ones. The mortality is weakening more and more, however, an unknown number of old, rotten carcasses will be washed ashore in case the wind direction changes and the first storms develop. NEWS – Sweden The Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory, Sweden issued a press release on 26.09.2002, the English translation by Martin Larsvig was received today: Tjärnö September 26, 2002: Seal epizootic ends in Skagerrak-Kattegat, analyses start According to this week the mass death among harbour seals in the Skagerrak-Kattegat seems to be over this year. Since the epizootic started on Anholt in April-May, approximately 7000 harbour seals have been reported dead in the Kattegat-Skagerrak, but probably totally 10,000 seals have died. Research is now moving into a more interesting phase, with analyses of samples taken. During late summer the epizootic spread northwards along the Swedish west coast and into Norway. Only occasional harbour seals died in the colonies of Koster and Hvaler. Swedish local authorities reported 3625 dead animals and our sampling teams found additional seals as well, so most likely almost 4000 harbour seals have been observed along the Swedish west coast. Of these, Swedish teams sampled 2262 seals. In the Danish Kattegat, 1996 dead harbour seals have been reported and in the Norwegian Skagerrak slightly more than 1000. Besides these many drifted ashore and sunk (approx. 7000). The early development of the mass death in Halland during June-July and land counts of surviving seals in the northern part of Bohuslän make us estimate the gross mortality in the Kattegat-Skagerrak to approx. 10,000. Thus, of those 19,000 harbour seals that lived in the area in spring, slightly more than 50% died. Arial surveys during August 2003 will give more exact numbers. The epizootic is spread over the whole area affected in 1988. In addition to the Kattegat-Skagerrak, harbour seals have died primarily in the Limfjorden, the Danish part of the Wadden Sea, the German North sea coast, the Netherlands and the southeast part of England. The contacts between harbour seals decrease during autumn, so the transmission of the virus and the mortality are expected to decline during October. The gross mortality in northern Europe is estimated to at least 18,000 harbour seals. At present, harbour seals are being caught alive in the northern part of Bohuslän. One objective is to take blood samples, to find out whether surviving animals have antibodies against PDV (Phocine Distemper Virus) or if surviving animals have not been exposed to PDV. These samples will be analyzed by the National Veterinary Institute. Results may indicate if surviving harbour seals are susceptible to a new epizootic within the next few years. Age determination of sampled animals will start in November. Studies of female sex organs will start during winter, to find out the number of births and abortions in each female. With information of sampling locations this constitutes the basis for further studies. Genetical studies of RNA and DNA describe the activity of the immune system. With the analysis of levels of pollutants in blubber and liver, and the analysis of osteoporosis, this may show if pollutants play any part in the outbreak and extent of the epizootic. Several dozens of wild mink were shot during late summer. Virological analyses will show if PDV is circulating among them as well. We hope to get samples collected 1989-2001 from minks, in order to find out if this species could have carried PDV since 1988 and possibly infected harbour seal this year. Local authorities along the Swedish west coast have been very helpful in reporting and collecting dead seals. Their work give invaluable information of the epizootic as well as of live of harbour seals in the Skagerrak-Kattegat. Research is carried out by the Swedish Museum of Natural History with personnel at Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory. Financial support is mainly given by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. General information (in Swedish) of harbour seals and about epizootics can be found on the web page  http://www.tmbl.gu.se/news/Saldod2002/Saldod2002_1.html NEWS – United Kingdom Between 9 October and 15 October, there have been 288 dead seals reported bringing the total to 2,653 since the beginning of the outbreak. A total of 2,294 dead seals have been reported from around the English coast. 75 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 35 cases have been confirmed as positive for pdv (34 common seals and one grey seal), five cases have been confirmed as negative for pdv and test results from 35 are pending. A total of 231 dead seals have been reported from around Scotland, 44 of which have been reported in the last week. At least 17 of the 26 seals reported in Orkney in the last week were grey seals that had been shot. 11 post-mortem examinations have been carried out in Scotland, one case has been confirmed as positive for pdv and the other 10 have been confirmed as negative. A total of 90 dead seals have been reported from around Wales. Three post-mortem examinations have been carried out but test results are pending. A total of 38 dead seals have been reported from Northern Ireland. Three post-mortem examinations have been carried out, one case has been confirmed as positive for pdv, one case has been confirmed as negative for pdv and the results from the other post-mortem are pending. The confirmed case of pdv in Northern Ireland was found near Tyrella, County Down. See map below for regional information on reported dead seals and confirmed pdv cases in the UK. On 08/10/02 the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Stormont, Northern Ireland reported a pdv positive common seal found dead on 21 September on the Aran Islands, Republic of Ireland. (Futher Info: 16.10.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK) Phocine distemper epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area     First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 39 (11.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 40 (16.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 about 2,133 (10.10.2002) about 2,141 (14.10.2002) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 3,449 (10.10.2002) 3,519 (15.10.2002) Hamburg 21 August 2002 256 (10.10.2002) 256 (15.10.2002) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 2,644 (10.10.2002) 2,676 (14.10.2002) Denmark 30 August 2002 814 (10.10.2002) > 852 (15.10.2002) Wadden Sea Total   about 9,296 about 9,444         Helgoland 11 August 2002 240 (08.10.2002) 260 (15.10.2002)         Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) epizootic mainly over Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) epizootic mainly over Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) epizootic mainly over Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900 about 6.900         DK- Limfjord about 18.09.2002 170 (04.10.2002) no new figures available 170 (04.10.2002)         Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland about 13.09.2002   11 (26.09.2002) no new figures available 11 (26.09.2002) German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 11 (10.10.02) 11 (15.10.02)         Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 21 (10.10.02) no new figures available 21 (10.10.02)         United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 2,374 (09.10.2002) 2,653 (16.10.2002)         All Areas                   TOTAL   about 19.023 about 19,470 Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Top of Page Status Report No. 39 (11.10.2002): NEWS – German Wadden Sea The number of found dead seals in the German Wadden Sea, fortunately, has stagnated on a low level for two weeks in Lower Saxony/Hamburg, and for a week in Schleswig-Holstein. One reason is on the one hand that the mortality is weakening and on the other hand the permanent seaward winds prevent the dead seals from getting washed ashore. Among the found dead seals there were only a few fresh ones. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 2 October and 8 October there have been 232 reports of dead seals around the UK making a total of 2,374 since the beginning of the outbreak. The majority of these (2,077) are from the English coast. Out of 75 post-mortem examinations carried out in England there have been 35 cases confirmed positive for PDV (34 common seals and one grey seal), five have been confirmed as negative and test results from 35 are pending. A total of 180 dead seals have been reported from around Scotland. 10 post-mortem examinations have been carried out and one case has been confirmed as positive for pdv. See map below for regional information on reported dead seals and confirmed pdv cases in England and Scotland. A total of 80 dead seals have been reported from Wales where one post-mortem has been carried out. Test results are pending, although there were no signs suggestive of infection with pdv on post-mortem or histopathology. The increase in the total number of dead seals reported for Wales, when compared to last week’s status report, is due to some retrospective reporting of dead grey seal pups found over a week ago. There have been a total of 37 dead seals reported from Northern Ireland, one post-mortem has been carried out that has been confirmed as negative for pdv. On 08/10/02 the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Stormont, Northern Ireland reported a pdv positive common seal found dead on 21 September on the Aran Islands, Republic of Ireland. (09.10.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK)      Phocine distemper epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 38 (08.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 39 (11.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 about 2,100 (07.10.2002) about 2,133 (10.10.2002) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 3,198 (06.10.2002) 3,449 (10.10.2002) Hamburg 21 August 2002 248 (07.10.2002) 256 (10.10.2002) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 2,552 (07.10.2002) 2,644 (10.10.2002) Denmark 30 August 2002 > 710 (07.10.2002) 814 (10.10.2002) Wadden Sea Total   about 8,808 about 9,296         Helgoland 11 August 2002 239 (07.10.2002) 240 (08.10.2002)         Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) epizootic mainly over Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) epizootic mainly over Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) epizootic mainly over Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900 about 6.900         DK- Limfjord about 18.09.2002 170 (04.10.2002) no new figures available 170 (04.10.2002)         Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland about 13.09.2002   11 (26.09.2002) no new figures available 11 (26.09.2002) German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 11 (07.10.02) 11 (10.10.02)         Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 20 (01.10.02) 21 (10.10.02)         United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 2,114 (03.10.2002) 2,374 (09.10.2002)         All Areas                   TOTAL   about 18,300 bout 19.023     Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Status Report No. 38 (08.10.2002): NEWS – Denmark Last week, the Danish State Veterinarian Institute in Aarhus confirmed that the investigated seals from the Limfjord, Rødsand and Stevns (Sjaelland) in the Baltic Sea area are also infected with pdv. NEWS – United Kingdom Between 25 September and 1 October there were 308 reports of dead seals around the UK making a total of 2,114 since the beginning of the outbreak. The majority of these (1,896) have been from the English coast. In England 70 post-mortem examinations have been carried out, 35 have been confirmed as positive for pdv (34 common, one grey), five have been confirmed as negative for pdv and the results from 30 post-mortems are pending. A total of 133 dead seals have been reported from Scotland where 10 post-mortem examinations have been carried out and one case has been confirmed as positive for pdv. See map below for regional information on reported dead seals and confirmed pdv cases in England and Scotland. In Wales a total of 52 dead seals have been reported and one post-mortem examination carried out that showed no signs of pdv, although further test results are awaited. A total of 33 dead seals have been reported from Northern Ireland, one post-mortem examination has been carried out that has been confirmed as negative for pdv.  (Details see under 03.10.2002 Sea Mammal Research Unit, St. Andrews, UK)   TABLE: Phocine distemper  epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 37 (02.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 38 (08.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 about 2,015 (01.10.02) about 2,100 (07.10.2002) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 3,103 (01.10.02) 3,198 (06.10.2002) Hamburg 21 August 2002 209 (01.10.02) 248 (07.10.2002) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 2,191 (01.10.02) 2,552 (07.10.2002) Denmark 30 August 2002 > 692 (01.10.02) > 710 (07.10.2002) Wadden Sea Total   about 8,210 about 8,808         Helgoland 11 August 2002 234 (01.10.02) 239 (07.10.2002)         Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) epizootic mainly over Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) epizootic mainly over Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) epizootic mainly over Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900 about 6.900         DK- Limfjord about 18.09.2002 63 (01.10.2002) 170 (04.10.2002)         Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea:              Falster, Møn, South-Lolland about 13.09.2002   11 (26.09.2002) 11 (26.09.2002) no new figures available German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 9 (01.10.02) 11 (07.10.02)         Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 20 (01.10.02) 20 (01.10.02) no new figures available         United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 1,794 (26.09.02) 2,114 (03.10.2002)         All Areas                   TOTAL   about 17,200 about 18,300   Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Top of Page   Status Report No. 37 (02.10.2002): Phocine distemper epidemic amongst seals 2002 Overview of registered dead common seals in the Wadden Sea, the North Sea, the Kattegat-Skagerrak and Baltic Sea area   First date of occurrence of unusual mortality Seal Report no. 36 (27.09.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Seal Report no. 37 (02.10.2002) Number of dead common seals (until date) Wadden Sea       Netherlands (incl. Noord- and Zuid-Holland, Zeeland) 16 June 2002 1,874 (26.09.02) about 2,015 (01.10.02) Lower Saxony 17 July 2002 2,930 (26.09.02) 3,103 (01.10.02) Hamburg 21 August 2002 173 (26.09.02) 209 (01.10.02) Schleswig-Holstein 26 August 2002 1,992 (26.09.02) 2,191 (01.10.02) Denmark 30 August 2002 650 (26.09.02) > 692 (01.10.02) Wadden Sea Total   7,619 about 8,210         Helgoland 11 August 2002 224 (25.09.02) 234 (01.10.02)         Kattegat/Skagerrak       Danish Kattegat / Oresund 07 May 2002 2,016 (26.09.02) no new figures available Swedish Kattegat / Skagerrak 30 May 2002 about 4,000 (06.09.02) no new figures available Norwegian Skagerrak 22 June 2002 878 (23.09.02) no new figures available Kattegat/Skagerrak Total   about 6.900 about 6.900         DK- Limfjord (pdv not yet confirmed) 23 (in September) 63 (in September)         Baltic Sea       Danish Baltic Sea: Falster, Møn, South-Lolland (pdv not yet confirmed) 11 (in September) no new figures available 11 (in September) German Baltic Sea coast Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania 30 August 2002 7 (26.09.02) 9 (01.10.02)         Belgium/France 31 July 02 (France) / 18 August 02 (Belgium) 19 (24.09.02) 20 (01.10 .02)         United Kingdom (common and grey seals) 13 August 2002 1,794 (26.09.02) no new figures available 1,794 (26.09.02)         All Areas TOTAL                  about 16,600 about 17,200 Remark: The next Status Report will be done in week 41. Compiled by Bettina Reineking Common Wadden Sea Secretariat Virchowstr. 1 D 26382 Wilhelmshaven reineking@waddensea-secretariat.org Top of Page