| Summary: | The distribution, movements and diving of high-arctic harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) were studied in Svalbard, Norway, from 1992 to 1995. A total of 14 seals were equipped with satellite transmitters at Prins Karls Forland (ca. 78°30’N 12°E). These gave data on position, but ten also gave information on dive depths (N around 160,000) and dive durations (N around 162,000). The transmitters had a depth range of 0-490 m and a resolution of 2 m. The minimum depth to be considered a dive was set to 4 m. Dive depth and duration were recorded into 14 and 10 intervals respectively. Dive- depth frequencies show that around 50% of the diving is shallower than 40 m, and that 95% of the diving is shallower than 250 m. Based on dive-duration frequencies, around 50% of the dives lasted 2 to 4 min, 90% of the dives lasted less than 7 min, and 97% were shorter than 10 min. All but three seals stayed in the tagging area.
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