Summary of Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi, surveys in California, 1982 to 1995

• Main Author: Fluharty, Marilyn J.
• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Published: California Department of Fish and Game, Marine Region 1999
• Subjects: Management; Fisheries; Biology; Pacific harbor seal; Phoca vitulina richardsi; Pacific; harbor seal; Phoca vitulina
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1834/18348

The California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) initiated an annual Pacific harbor seal, Phoca vitulina richardsi, census along the California coast in 1981 as part ofan assessment program conducted cooperatively with National Marine Fisheries Service. Surveys were conducted during theharbor seal molting season and census data were used as an index of abundance to detect changes in population abundance or distribution. Because not all harbor seals are hauled-out at the time of the surveys, the index estimates the total number of seals hauled-out on rocks and beaches rather thanthe total number of harbor seals in California. (51pp.)