Selasetur Íslands

A new population estimate for Icelandic harbor seal and hunting policy advice are available in the project between the Icelandic Seal Center (ICS) and The Marine and Freshwater Research Institute (MFRI). MFRI and ICS recommend that direct hunting of harbor seals remain limited and that improved measures be taken to reduce seal bycatch in net fisheries, to allow the seal population to reach the management threshold set by the government. Additionally, the MFRI and ICS recommend that measures be taken to limit human disturbance of harbor seals where possible, especially during the pupping and molting season from May-August.

Link to the advice—Icelandic only.

The advice is based on the recently completed harbor seal population size estimate conducted by the MFRI, in conjunction with the Icelandic Seal Center. The estimate is based on an aerial census conducted in the summer of 2020.

Link to the technical report.

According to the estimate, the harbor seal population is about 10,300 animals, which is 69% less than in the first estimate in 1980. The estimate shows an increase of 9% over the last calculated estimate from 2018. The results from recent years suggest that the population is fluctuating around a historical minimum. According to the government’s management objectives, the minimum threshold should be 12,000 seals. Since the results of the new estimate are 14% below the threshold, further conservation measures are necessary.

A more detailed description of the 2020 census, divided by regions and compared to previous censuses is available in a new report published in the journal Marine and Freshwater Research (Haf- og vatnarannsókir).

Link to the newest report about the Icelandic harbor seal.

The Teaching Academy of the Public University is Established — 11 are Granted Admission  

The Teaching Academy of the Public University is Established — 11 are Granted Admission. Among them is Dr. Jessica Aquino, head of the Department of Tourism Research at the Icelandic Seal Center and lecturer in the Department of Tourism at Hólar University.

The role of the Teaching Academy is to strengthen dialogue on teaching and development within and between universities, to support a strong learning and teaching community. The academy is established with the support and encouragement of the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture and the membership of all public universities, the University of Iceland, the University of Akureyri, the Agricultural University of Iceland, and Hólar University.

A seat in the Teaching Academy is a recognition given to those teachers who have carried out their teaching and teaching development with unique professionalism, scholarship, and are willing to share their experiences with their colleagues and to the academic community.

https://www.hi.is/frettir/kennsluakademia_opinberu_haskolanna_stofnud_11_fa_inngongu?

Hólmfríður Jakobsdóttir will present an introduction to her project for a Master’s degree that is starting this year.

Eric dos Santos will hold a lecture based on his Master’s degree project which was completed in 2010.

The Icelandic Seal Center then takes part in the project List fyrir alla (Art for all). List fyrir alla is a cultural project for children and youth under the auspices and funded by the Icelandic Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture.

We aim to choose and produce art events nationwide to give all children and youth equal opportunities in experiencing diverse and elaborate art events, regardless of their residential and economic situation.

The main focus is on culture for children and culture with children. We aim to give students, during their ten years of schooling, a good overview, and insight into diverse forms of art across different eras and cultures, including the Icelandic cultural heritage.

On the List fyrir alla website you can find

• Listviðburðir – list of all art events that are on offer for the Icelandic schools each school year.
• Listveitan – online source of diverse and professional art material for the schools
• Menningarhús og söfn – information on those cultural institutions and museus in Iceland that offer art and culture for and with children and youth.

Here is a link to the project: List Fyrir Alla – Art for all

The First Lady Eliza Reid and her daughter Edda visited Húnaþing vestra on Friday, but she was the guest of honor at the Hipp festival, which was held this weekend.

She also visited the Icelandic Seal Center where Guðmundur, Chairman of the Board, Sandra, Jessica, Hafþór, Eric, Zoé, and others welcomed them.