Temporal and Geographical Variation of Intestinal Ulcers in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) and Environmental Contaminants in Baltic Biota during Four Decades

Bäcklin, Britt-Marie; Persson, Sara; Faxneld, Suzanne; Frank, Rigét F.; Anna, Roos M.

doi:10.3390/ani11102968

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Pinniped population growth is controlled by environmental conditions, such as the availability of prey and suitable pupping sites, which may be dependent of population density (Kjellqwist, 1995; Rossi et al, 2021; Thomas et al, 2019). In the past decade there, there have been indicators of environmental stress affecting the health of Baltic grey seals such as intestinal ulcers, reduced birth‐rates and deterioration in body condition, which could be an indication of nutrient limitation or density dependence (Bäcklin et al, 2021; Galatius et al, 2014; HELCOM, 2018; Kauhala et al, 2014, 2019).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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120‐years of ecological monitoring data shows that the risk of overhunting is increased by environmental degradation for an isolated marine mammal population: The Baltic grey seal

Carroll,

Ahola,

Carlsson

et al. 2024

Journal of Animal Ecology

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The Baltic Sea is home to a genetically isolated and morphologically distinct grey seal population. This population has been the subject of 120‐years of careful documentation, from detailed records of bounty statistics to annual monitoring of health and abundance. It has also been exposed to a range of well‐documented stressors, including hunting, pollution and climate change. To investigate the vulnerability of marine mammal populations to multiple stressors, data series relating to the Baltic grey seal population size, hunt and health were compiled, vital demographic rates were estimated, and a detailed population model was constructed. The Baltic grey seal population fell from approximately 90,000 to as few as 3000 individuals during the 1900s as the result of hunting and pollution. Subsequently, the population has recovered to approximately 55,000 individuals. Fertility levels for mature females have increased from 9% in the 1970s to 86% at present. The recovery of the population has led to demands for increased hunting, resulting in a sudden increase in annual quotas from a few hundred to 3550 in 2020. Simultaneously, environmental changes, such as warmer winters and reduced prey availability due to overfishing, are likely impacting fecundity and health. Future population development is projected for a range of hunting and environmental stress scenarios, illustrating how hunting, in combination with environmental degradation, can lead to population collapse. The current combined hunting quotas of all Baltic Nations caused a 10% population decline within three generations in 100% of simulations. To enable continued recovery of the population, combined annual quotas of less than 1900 are needed, although this quota should be re‐evaluated annually as monitoring of population size and seal health continues. Sustainable management of long‐lived slowly growing species requires an understanding of the drivers of population growth and the repercussions of management decisions over many decades. The case of the Baltic grey seal illustrates how long‐term ecological time series are pivotal in establishing historical baselines in population abundance and demography to inform sustainable management.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…of nutrient limitation or density dependence (Bäcklin et al, 2021;Galatius et al, 2014;HELCOM, 2018;Kauhala et al, 2014Kauhala et al, , 2019.…”

Section: Estimation Of Population Size and Intrinsic Annual Growth-ratementioning

confidence: 99%

120‐years of ecological monitoring data shows that the risk of overhunting is increased by environmental degradation for an isolated marine mammal population: The Baltic grey seal

Carroll,

Ahola,

Carlsson

et al. 2024

Journal of Animal Ecology

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Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A special reference to their monitoring, distribution, and environmental fate

Li¹,

Qadeer²,

Anis³

et al. 2023

Emerging Aquatic Contaminants

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Relationships between gene transcription and contaminant concentrations in Baltic ringed seals: A comparison between tissue matrices

et al. 2022

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Temporal and Geographical Variation of Intestinal Ulcers in Grey Seals (Halichoerus grypus) and Environmental Contaminants in Baltic Biota during Four Decades

Cited by 4 publications

References 46 publications

120‐years of ecological monitoring data shows that the risk of overhunting is increased by environmental degradation for an isolated marine mammal population: The Baltic grey seal

120‐years of ecological monitoring data shows that the risk of overhunting is increased by environmental degradation for an isolated marine mammal population: The Baltic grey seal

Occurrence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): A special reference to their monitoring, distribution, and environmental fate

Relationships between gene transcription and contaminant concentrations in Baltic ringed seals: A comparison between tissue matrices

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