Production, Mortality, And Sustainable Yield Of Northwest Atlantic Harp Seals (Pagophilus groenlandicus)

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Abstract
From recent and historical data, the natural mortality rate of adult harp seals (P. groenlandicus) is estimated to be 0.10, which is within the range of previous estimates (0.08-0.11). New estimates of bedlamer and 0-group natural mortality rates were not significantly different from those of adult seals. Pup production estimates from survival indices agreed well with those from sequential population analyses and indicated a decline from about 350,000 animals in the early 1950s to about 310,000 animals in the early 1970s. Over the same period the 1+ population size declined from 2.5-1.1 million animals but was increasing at the rate of 3%/yr since the introduction of quotas in 1972. The relative contribution of the front production to total (front plus gulf) production during the past decade has fluctuated from 49-87%, the average of 64% being very similar to the 61% obtained previously. These fluctuations suggest some interchange between front and gulf adults and homing in the breeding areas is a facultative rather than obligatory aspect of seal behavior. The heavier exploitation of the front production is probably sufficiently diffused into the total population to avoid serious effects on front production. The maximum sustainable yield [MSY] of Northwest Atlantic seals harvested according to recent patterns is estimated to be 290,000 animals (80% pups) from a 1+ population size of 1.8 million animals producing 460,000 pups annually. The sustainable yield at present levels of pup production (335,000 animals) is calculated to be 220,000 animals, which is substantially above the present TAC [total admissible capture] of 180,000 animals and coincides with present harvesting strategies designed to enable the seal hunt to increase slowly towards the MSY level.

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