The largest predatory animal in Germany, the grey seal, is making a comeback in the Wadden Sea. Despite being considered endangered, the number of newborn pups has increased by an average of 11% per year over the past five years, according to data from the Wadden Sea Secretariat in Wilhelmshaven. During the same period, the number of seals counted during the moulting season increased by an average of 13% per year.
The grey seal was once hunted heavily by fishermen who saw them as competition. However, the species is now listed as “least concern” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. In Germany, however, the grey seal is still considered “endangered” according to the national Red List. This could change in the coming years if the current trend of increasing pup numbers continues.
In the early winter months, grey seals give birth to their pups. The latest count recorded a total of 1,927 pups, 201 more than the previous survey. The largest increase in pup numbers was seen in Lower Saxony (16%) and Heligoland (12%). However, the majority of pups (1,026) were born in the Dutch Wadden Sea. In contrast, only three pups were sighted in Denmark and one in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea. Overall, there are currently 9,069 grey seals in the North Sea, with an additional 60 to 80 living in the Baltic Sea along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Despite the recent increase in pup numbers, the total population in Germany remains below 10,000.
According to experts, the increase in pup numbers is a positive sign for the grey seal population in the Wadden Sea. However, they caution that the species is still vulnerable to threats such as pollution, climate change, and disturbance from human activities. Conservation efforts will need to continue to ensure the long-term survival of this iconic species.
