Icelandic Seal Center
A total of 718 seals were seen in the great seal count, which took place for the eleventh time on July, 25th
The Icelandic Seal Center would like to thank all the 58 volunteers who took part in the count this year. This year we received e.g. volunteers from Germany, Finland, Israel, the United States, England, Italy, France, and a good group from World Wide Friends (wf.is).
Volunteers Needed at the Icelandic Seal Center
Come join us for our annual Great Seal Count at the Icelandic Seal Center. We need groups of volunteers to count seals along the coastline of the Vatnsnes Peninsula.
Sunday, July 25 at 13.00, 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 tourist on your trip around the country. Participation gives people the opportunity to see harbor seals in their natural environment.
Program for the counting day:
At 13:00 is the delivery of data, presentation, and training at the Seal Center. Coffee and drinks are available for participants.
At 15.00-19.00, the seal count takes place.
When you are finished, registration of data online or submission of data inbox at the Icelandic Seal Center.
Information for field participants
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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. We rely on volunteers like you to help us with our research. 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.
The counting consists of counting seals in Vatnsnes and Heggstaðanes, but the area will be divided into many different areas (about 2-7km 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. Before you head out on the peninsula, there will be a short presentation about the Great Seal Count along with information about the research at 13.00.
Do you have a passion for marine wildlife? If yes, volunteer 🙂
The summer is here in Northwestern Iceland and visitors are increasing in our area and around seal colonies. We remind you of being careful around the seals and make sure not to disturb them.
It´s good to keep the following in mind:
Be mindful: The seals are in their natural habitat and we are observers.
Protect the seals from disturbance during seal watching:
Are you studying nature science at the university level in Iceland and are interested in seal research?
In cooperation with the Seal research department at the Icelandic seal center, the marine and freshwater institute is looking for an assistant to work with us in Hvammstangi, NW Iceland this summer. The work will include research and analysis of seal behavior and abundance in important haul-out sites in Northwest Iceland. The assistant will take part in fieldwork and analysis under the supervision of a specialist from the institute. The project aims to increase our knowledge of seal behavior in the haul-out and what factors are affecting the seals, such as anthropogenic disturbance, weather factors, etc. Such knowledge is important for example when developing population models and for the management of the seal populations in Iceland. The project leader is Sandra M. Granquist, whom you are welcome to contact if you have questions (sandra@hafro.is).
The position is taking place from 1 June- 15 August and the application deadline is 22 May.
More information, as well as the application form, can be found here:
https://form.vinnumalastofnun.is/sumarstorf/jobsview.aspx?pk_job_id=5345
The summer opening time 2021 will be every day from 15 May until 15 September, from 10:00 to 17:00.