The Icelandic Seal Center recently got a visit from Bjarkey Olsen Gunnarsdóttir, minister of food, fisheries and agriculture. The minister was visiting branches of the Marine and Freshwater Institute and one of those branches in located in Hvammstangi. That branch focuses on seal research and has worked closely with the Icelandic Seal Center for many years.
It was very good to discuss matters of the Icelandic seal population with the minister, and the role of the Icelandic Seal Center. The picture shows the minister with Gunnlaugur Ragnarsson chairman of the Icelandic Seal Center, Örvar B. Eiríksson manager, Hafþór Magnús Kristinsson employee and Sandra M. Granquist head of seal research.
A new estimate of the Icelandic grey seal population is now available. It is based on an aerial survey carried out in 2022. It is estimated that the population has grown by 6,8% since 2017 but the population is regarded as stable and still defined as “Vulnerable”.
Volunteers needed for The Great Seal Count Come join us for our annual Great Seal Count at the Icelandic Seal Center. We need volunteers to count seals along the coastline of Húnaþing vestra.
The weekend 27. – 28. July the Great Seal Count will be held by the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi. We encourage everyone to participate, whether you are a local, landowner, or a tourist travelling around the country. Participation gives people the opportunity to see harbor seals in their natural environment.
Please register before 18:00, Friday 26. July by sending an email to selasetur@selasetur.is
Schedule:
Saturday 27. July 17:00 – 18:00 is the delivery of data, presentation and training at the Icelandic Seal Center.
Sunday 28. July 08.00-12.00 the seal count takes place, during the low tide. When you are finished, return the data you have collected to the Icelandic Seal Center. Coffee and refreshments while we wait for the final number of seals in the area. Small gift for the volunteers.
Information for field participants
It is important to count only seals that are “inside” your area so that each seal is only counted once.
You write down all the seals you can see, whether they are on land or at sea, also write down the time!
KEEP IN MIND that not all of you will see seals but is important to us to know where the seals are and how many. So even if you do not see a seal, that´s very important information to us.
Please walk carefully and do not make noise since that may scare the seals away before you can count them! For the same reason, please do not bring a dog.
Close all gates, respect the animals in the area and do not walk over cultivated land (crops)
Here is a link to a google map of all the start and end points for each count area and information about good parking locations. https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1qv7-6u-HAhbn539CbRtx_1dF9jKp9ZI&usp=sharing
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This is a wonderful opportunity to volunteer with the Icelandic Seal Center. We are dedicated to developing sustainable wildlife tourism and research and education on the status of the seal populations of Iceland. The seal count aims to support further research by gaining knowledge of the number of seals in these areas and continuing to develop sustainable tourism in wildlife viewing.
Counting consists of counting seals in Vatnsnes and Heggstaðanes, but the area will be divided into many different areas (about 2-7 km long) and everyone should find a distance that suits them. The large seal count is a fun experience, and it is well worth coming and participating in the center’s research work.
Info Here is a link to general information about the seal count from 2007-2021 on Wikipedia. https://Selatalningin_mikla
Seal watching spot Illugastaðir is now closed from 6. May till 20. of June because of the eiders nesting period. Please respect nature and this closing.
However there is no need to worry since Hvítserkur is still open. It is one of the biggest sealcolonies in Iceland. Take the path that goes straight to the beach. Seals are also often visible from the Vatnsnes-road specially during the low tide. Check out places where the road is close to the beach, like Hamarsrétt. For further information you can visit us at the Icelandic Seal Center in Hvammstangi.
