Using skin samples from 777 unweaned pups collected in 9 different regions in WA state and British Columbia (WA Coastal Estuaries, WA North Coast, British Columbia, Boundary Bay, San Juan Islands, Smith/Minor Islands, Dungeness Spit, Hood Canal, South Puget Sound), the California Current Ecosystem Program at the Marine Mammal Laboratory/AFSC tested levels of genetic variation using mtDNA and 9 microsatellite loci. For both mtDNA and microsatellites we found the same four groupings. Previously, harbor seals were managed as two stocks: coastal and Inland waters. The data indicated that the harbor seals should be managed as four stocks: one on the Coast and three stocks in the Inland Waters. An additional 92 skin samples were collected opportunistically from non-pups. They have not yet been analyzed.

The National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) in collaboration with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife captured and sampled Pacific harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) to study the demography of this species in Washington. This database provides capture, recapture, branding and resighting information for harbor seals in Washington from 1981 to 2007. Datasets include: Captures, Recapture, and Resight. Captures and Recapture information includes speno, date, age-class, age qualifier, sex, weight, length, health, tag number, brand number, location for all age classes and axial girth for pups and subadults. It also notes if samples were taken for disease screening (blood and swabs), contaminants (blubber), genetics (skin) and if animals were instrumented and with what type(s) of instrument. Resights information includes speno, date, tag, brand, reproductive information, location.

The National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) initiated a long-term marking program of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) at San Miguel Island, California in 1975. A sample of up to 300 pups has been tagged in the foreflippers with various types and colors of tags each year between 1975 and the present. Resighting surveys for marked animals are conducted annually at summer breeding sites. Resightings are also obtained from the public when animals are observed on beaches or in fisheries. The data are used in mark-recapture models to estimate the age and sex specific vital parameters of the population and to describe age and sex specific reproductive behavior and seasonal movements of animals throughout their lives.

Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in coastal waters of the northern Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, as well as those of the Baltic and North Seas. In Canada, they may be found off the coastal waters of British Columbia, Nunavut, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Population trends and abundance of harbour seals in British Columbia are assessed based on aerial surveys conducted during 1966-2019. Based on counts conducted in Index Areas distributed throughout the province, the trend observed in the Strait of Georgia appears to be generally indicative of harbour seal populations throughout British Columbia. Total abundance of harbour seals on the B.C. coast in 2008 was estimated to be on the order of about 105,000 (95% confidence interval of 90,900 to 118,900) seals. Total abundance was re-estimated in 2022 (estimate and CI pending completion of CSAS process). Historic reconstructions indicate the population was depleted by a period of commercial harvesting during 1879-1914, and subsequently maintained below natural levels by predator control programs until the early 1960s. Already depleted, the population could not sustain a second period of intense commercial harvesting during 1962-1968 and was further depleted, but now appears to have fully recovered.

Population monitoring studies of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, have spanned five decades from the 1970’s to the present (Streveler 1979; Calambokidis et al. 1987; Mathews & Pendleton 2006; Womble al. 2010; Womble et al. 2020; Womble et al. 2021), representing one of just a few sites in in Alaska where such long-term monitoring effort exists. Monitoring methods for harbor seals at terrestrial sites have remained consistent since 1992 allowing for quantifying distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park. This file includes data includes count data of harbor seals from digital photographs collected during aerial photographic surveys conducted in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in southeastern Alaska to assess the distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial and glacier ice sites (McBride Inlet and Tarr Inlet) from 2004 to 2023. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted from May-September, with most surveys occurring during May-June (pupping period) and July-September (molting period). Replicate aerial surveys (2-4 surveys during pupping and molting period) were conducted to increase precision in the trend estimates of harbor seals. If it was not possible to complete at least 4 replicate surveys on different days during one tidal cycle, then surveys were attempted during the second low tidal cycle of the month, weather permitting. From 2004-2025 this project was led by Jamie N. Womble (National Park Service), please contact Jamie if you have questions regarding these data, at jamienwombleak@gmail.com. Please see associated publications for more details. Womble, J.N., Williams, P.J., McNabb, R., Prakash, A., Gens, R., Sedinger, B. and Acevedo, C. (2021). Harbor Seals as Sentinels of Ice Dynamics in Tidewater Glacier Fjords. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, pp.1-16. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.634541/full Blanchet, M.A., Vincent, C., Womble, J., Steingass, S. and Desportes, G., (2021). Harbour Seals: Population Structure, Status, and Threats in a Rapidly Changing Environment. In Oceans (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 41-63).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/2/1/3 Womble, J.N., Ver Hoef, J.M, Mathews, E.A., Gende, S.M. (2020). Calibrating and adjusting counts of harbor seals in a tidewater glacier fjord to estimate abundance and trends 1992-2017. Ecosphere 11(4), p.e03111. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3111 Womble, J.N. 2012. Foraging ecology, diving behavior, and migration patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from a glacial fjord in Alaska in relation to prey availability and oceanographic features. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Blundell, G.M., Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Karpovich, S.A., Gende, S.M., Herreman, J.K. (2011) Use of glacial ice and terrestrial habitats by harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska: costs and benefits. Marine Ecology Progress Series 429:277- 290. https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m429p277.pdf Allen, S.G., Brown, E., Faulkner, K., Gende, S.M., Womble, J. N. (2011) Conserving pinnipeds in Pacific Ocean parks in response to climate change. Park Science 28:48-52. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamie-Womble/publication/258407609_Conserving_pinnipeds_in_Pacific_Ocean_parks_in_response_to_climate_chnage/links/0f3175372b3ec3667c000000/Conserving-pinnipeds-in-Pacific-Ocean-parks-in-response-to-climate-chnage.pdf Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Blundell, G.M., Bool, N.M., Gende, S.M. (2010) Harbor seal decline continues in the rapidly changing landscape of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, 1992-2008. Marine Mammal Science 26:686-697https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00360.x?msockid=14da1e5b94b961b802740be595036098 Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Gende S.M. (2015). Status and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial sites in Glacier Bay National Park from

Population monitoring studies of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, have spanned five decades from the 1970’s to the present (Streveler 1979; Calambokidis et al. 1987; Mathews & Pendleton 2006; Womble al. 2010; Womble et al. 2020; Womble et al. 2021), representing one of just a few sites in in Alaska where such long-term monitoring effort exists. Monitoring methods for harbor seals at terrestrial sites have remained consistent since 1992 allowing for quantifying distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals in Glacier Bay National Park. This file includes data includes count data of harbor seals from digital photographs collected during aerial photographic surveys conducted in Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve in southeastern Alaska to assess the distribution, abundance, and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial and glacier ice sites (McBride Inlet and Tarr Inlet) from 2004 to 2023. Aerial photographic surveys were conducted from May-September, with most surveys occurring during May-June (pupping period) and July-September (molting period). Replicate aerial surveys (2-4 surveys during pupping and molting period) were conducted to increase precision in the trend estimates of harbor seals. If it was not possible to complete at least 4 replicate surveys on different days during one tidal cycle, then surveys were attempted during the second low tidal cycle of the month, weather permitting. From 2004-2025 this project was led by Jamie N. Womble (National Park Service), please contact Jamie if you have questions regarding these data, at jamienwombleak@gmail.com. Please see associated publications for more details. Womble, J.N., Williams, P.J., McNabb, R., Prakash, A., Gens, R., Sedinger, B. and Acevedo, C. (2021). Harbor Seals as Sentinels of Ice Dynamics in Tidewater Glacier Fjords. Frontiers in Marine Science, 8, pp.1-16. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.634541/full Blanchet, M.A., Vincent, C., Womble, J., Steingass, S. and Desportes, G., (2021). Harbour Seals: Population Structure, Status, and Threats in a Rapidly Changing Environment. In Oceans (Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 41-63).https://www.mdpi.com/2673-1924/2/1/3 Womble, J.N., Ver Hoef, J.M, Mathews, E.A., Gende, S.M. (2020). Calibrating and adjusting counts of harbor seals in a tidewater glacier fjord to estimate abundance and trends 1992-2017. Ecosphere 11(4), p.e03111. https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecs2.3111 Womble, J.N. 2012. Foraging ecology, diving behavior, and migration patterns of harbor seals (Phoca vitulina richardii) from a glacial fjord in Alaska in relation to prey availability and oceanographic features. Ph.D. Dissertation. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. Blundell, G.M., Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Karpovich, S.A., Gende, S.M., Herreman, J.K. (2011) Use of glacial ice and terrestrial habitats by harbor seals in Glacier Bay, Alaska: costs and benefits. Marine Ecology Progress Series 429:277- 290. https://www.int-res.com/articles/meps_oa/m429p277.pdf Allen, S.G., Brown, E., Faulkner, K., Gende, S.M., Womble, J. N. (2011) Conserving pinnipeds in Pacific Ocean parks in response to climate change. Park Science 28:48-52. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamie-Womble/publication/258407609_Conserving_pinnipeds_in_Pacific_Ocean_parks_in_response_to_climate_chnage/links/0f3175372b3ec3667c000000/Conserving-pinnipeds-in-Pacific-Ocean-parks-in-response-to-climate-chnage.pdf Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Blundell, G.M., Bool, N.M., Gende, S.M. (2010) Harbor seal decline continues in the rapidly changing landscape of Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, 1992-2008. Marine Mammal Science 26:686-697https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2009.00360.x?msockid=14da1e5b94b961b802740be595036098 Womble, J.N., Pendleton, G.W., Mathews, E.A., Gende S.M. (2015). Status and trend of harbor seals at terrestrial sites in Glacier Bay National Park from

The National Marine Mammal Laboratories' California Current Ecosystem Program (AFSC/NOAA) initiated a long-term marking program of northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) at San Miguel Island, California in 1975. A sample of up to 300 pups has been tagged in the foreflippers with various types and colors of tags each year between 1975 and the present. Resighting surveys for marked animals are conducted annually at summer breeding sites. Resightings are also obtained from the public when animals are observed on beaches or in fisheries. The data are used in mark-recapture models to estimate the age and sex specific vital parameters of the population and to describe age and sex specific reproductive behavior and seasonal movements of animals throughout their lives.

Harbour seals reside throughout the year around Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). The first systematic survey for harbour seals occurred along the NL Shelf during July and August 2021 to obtain counts of hauled out individuals and assess distribution. Grey seals are seasonal residents in NL, mainly present in the summer and autumn months. Grey seals were also recorded during the survey as these two species can share haul-out locations. Surveys were flown along the coastline with a Bell 429 helicopter with photographs taken of hauled out seals. This data includes the counts of hauled out harbour, grey and unknown seals seen during the survey. Adjusted counts are also provided, which assign the unknown seals to species based on the number of positively identified harbour and grey seals from each survey day. The realized survey coverage (survey tracks) is also included. Cite this data as: Hamilton, C.D., Goulet, P.J., Stenson, G.B., and Lang, S.L.C. 2024. Data of: Counts of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from an aerial survey of the coast of the Newfoundland Shelf and Sandwich Bay, Labrador during the summer of 2021 This data can be found in: Hamilton, C.D., Goulet, P.J., Stenson, G. B., and Lang, S.L.C. 2023. Counts and spatial distribution of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) from an aerial survey of the coast of the Newfoundland Shelf and Sandwich Bay, Labrador during the summer of 2021. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 3566: v + 39 p. https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.927831/publication.html DFO. 20XX. Stock assessment of Atlantic harbour seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in Canada for 2019-2021. DFO Can. Sci. Advis Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2023/XXX. Lang, S.L.C., St-Pierre, A.P., Hamilton, C.D., Mosnier, A., Lidgard, D.C., Goulet, P., den Heyer, C.E., Bordeleau, X., Irani, A.I., and Hammill, M.O. 20XX. Population status assessment and Potential Biological Removal (PBR) for the Atlantic harbour seal (Phoca vitulina vitulina) in Canadian waters. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2024

Most of the data were collected during aerial surveys carried out at low tides during June and August 1994-1997, 2000 and 2001. June and August are respectively pupping and moulting seasons, when the haulout sites are intensively used by seals. Features in this layer show the Harbour seal distribution and the mean abundance for all aerial surveys (tables 3 and 5, figures 3 and 5 from Robillard et al. 2005). In the estuary, areas of high abundance have more than 30 individuals, areas of medium abundance have between 10 and 30 individuals and areas of low abundance have fewer than 10 individuals. In the Gulf, areas of high abundance have more than 50 individuals and areas of medium to low abundance have fewer than 50 individuals. Unpublished data obtained from Parks Canada and Sepaq were also used to identify important haulout areas in the Saguenay Fjord sector and in Pointe-aux-Vaches tidal flat sectors, which have been categorized in this dataset as high abundance areas. Data are valid only during summer (except for the Pointe-aux-Vaches flats identified as mainly frequented in autumn by Parc Canada), because spring and fall distributions of the Harbour seal are unknown. Data shown in the Estuary and the Gulf of St. Lawrence are a picture of the situation in 2005 because it is the most recent mapping available for this specie. The distribution of the Harbour seal is non-uniform among the different concentration areas but is similar between June and August. However, Harbour seals tend to decrease their presence along the south shore and the Lower Estuary in August to the benefit of the Saguenay River colonies. Abundance classes are arbitrary but fit with the published results of haulout site utilization from Robillard et al. (2005). Data sources : Parks Canada. 2021. Personal communication. Harbor seal monitoring data on the Pointe-aux-Vaches tidal flat. Parks Canada and SÉPAQ, 2020. Données du suivi du phoque commun dans le fjord du Saguenay. Unpublished data. Robillard, A., V. Lesage, and M.O. Hammill. 2005. Distribution and abundance of harbour seals (Phoca vitulina concolor) and grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) in the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence, 1994–2001. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2613: 152 pp.

This database is a compendium of histories of known age seals (Weddell) from observations across the Southern Ocean but focussed on the Windmill Islands, Mawson and the Vestfold Hills. Although the following information pertains to Elephant Seals, it is assumed similar procedures were undertaken with the Weddell Seals between 1973 and 2006: At Macquarie Island 1000 seals were weighed per annum between 1993-2003 at birth and individually marked with two plastic flipper tags in the inter-digital webbing of their hind flippers. These tagged seals were weighed again at weaning, when length, girth, fat depth, and flipper measurements were made. Three weeks after weaning 2000 seals were permanently and individually marked by hot-iron branding. Recaptures and re-weighings of these known aged individuals were used to calculate growth and age-specific survival of the seals. Similar data were collected from elephant seals between 1950 and 1965 when seals were individually marked by hot-iron branding. Mark-recapture data from these cohorts were used to assess the demography of the declining population. Length and mass data were also collected for these cohorts and were used, for the first time, to assess the growth of individual seals without killing them. The database was held by the Australian Antarctic Data Centre, but was taken offline due to maintenance problems. A snapshot of the database was taken in June 2018 and stored in an access database. This work was completed as part of ASAC project 90.