Sealing stock in Lower Saxony: Stabilization thanks to air monitoring!

Sealing stock in Lower Saxony: Stabilization thanks to air monitoring!

Niedersachsen, Deutschland - The seal in Lower Saxony shows gratifying developments. On June 16, 2025, a spokeswoman for the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (Laves) reported that the stock had stabilized. In the last count in 2023, 8,912 seals were recorded after 8,550 animals had already been counted the previous year. In order to record the current inventory precisely, a total of ten flights with two small aircraft will be carried out by mid -August. These counts are part of an international seal protection agreement that is also carried out in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark and the Netherlands, as

The need for such measures is not new. The systematic recording of the seal stocks in Lower Saxony has been used since 1958, and aerial photographs have been used for this since 1972. This exciting part of the seal monitoring has been coordinated by the laves since 2005 and not only includes the count, but also the monitoring of the health of the animals. Cooperation with the Lower Saxony State Hunters is another important component of these surveys, such as Laves explained.

What is in the air?

Air monitoring plays a central role in recording the inventory of seals. After all, the counts represent one of the most effective methods to gain a comprehensive overview of the population and their health. This systematic approach should be viewed in a larger context: there are numerous initiatives and legal regulations worldwide that are devoted to the protection of seals. For example, the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) from the USA prohibits any type of harassment or killing of marine mugs. International agreements such as Cites and Ascobans also help to ensure the protection of the animals, while Marine Protected Area (MPAS) offer retreat areas in which human activities are regulated to preserve the habitats of seals, such as img4you emphasized.

Success in seal protection

It can be seen that the protective measures bear fruits. The populations of the seals in the Wadden Sea are on a positive way, and the decline in fishing in fishing is another success. Rehabilitation programs for injuries or orphaned animals show how important medical care and release are. A look into the future gives hope: With progressive research and effective monitoring programs, scientists hope to see further success in the protection of seals.

With a view to the upcoming count, it remains to be said: We can be excited to see what numbers await us in autumn and how the efforts to protect the seals will continue to affect. It is to be hoped that these beautiful animals will continue to be protected and supported in the tireless work between the countries.