Smartphones For Seals

Orkney seals are to receive mobile smartphone technology as part of a study into population decline in the area.

21:19 29 March 2016

A three-year study that will be conducted by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews will see Orkney seals wearing mobile smartphone technology that will gather information on their location, dive behaviour and oceanic environment.

 

Marine scientists will attach telemetry tags at the back of the heads of the number of seals that would drop off when the animals moulted. The marine tags are designed to send vital information when the seal surfaces or beaches directly back to SMRU for analysis.

 

The study’s goal is to protect harbour seals in areas of Scotland and ensure their future survival.

 

Professor John Baxter, marine principal adviser at Scottish Natural Heritage said: "This exciting, collaborative study is vital to help us to better understand the drivers of population change in Scottish harbour seals, and to evaluate the potential conservation and management options open to us."

 

SMRU's deputy director Dr Bernie McConnell said: "Over the last 15 years, many of the harbour seal populations in the Northern Isles and on the north and east coasts of Scotland have been declining.

 

"Marine data collected during this project on Orkney will help to assess the causes, management and mitigation options in relation to the harbour seals decline and to prioritise future research directions."