Harbour seals, Phoca vitulina, in relation to the wind farm site OWEZ, in the Netherlands

This interim report presents an overview of the procured baseline study on the North Sea situation for seals and results of the researchwork executed in 2007. Analysis will continue in 2008. The final report will include a final habitat model for harbour seals in the Dutch coastal waters.
This study includes a description of the spatial distribution, activity and migration of harbour seals that haul out both north of the OWEZ area (Wadden Sea) and south of it (Delta area). Seal activity and habitat use is measured by tagging harbour seals enabling to follow the animals on their trips at sea and measure diving activity.