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Marine Species Monitoring

Progress report on Chesapeake Bay seal haul-out surveys

Posted on January 14, 2019

Beginning in 2014, biologists from Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Atlantic initiated a study to investigate and document seal presence in the lower Chesapeake Bay and coastal waters of Virginia.  The goal of this ongoing study is to document the presence and abundance of seals in Virginia and to gain an increased understanding of the seasonal occurrence, habitat use and haul-out patterns of seals near several important U.S. Navy installations, testing and training areas, and vessel transit routes. The results from this study to date indicates that a small population occurs in southeastern Virginia from November to May, with some individuals returning  in multiple years.  Checkout details of this ongoing work and analyses in the 2017-18 progress report.

Special thanks to The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center Foundation, and Virginia Department of Inland Game and Fisheries!

Jones et al. 2018 - seal haul-out.jpg

 
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