Population estimate of grey seals in Iceland

A new estimate of the Icelandic grey seal population, based on an aerial survey carried out in 2022, is now available here. Regular population estimates have been conducted since 1982 and are based on pup counts in the autumn. The census conducted in 2022, amounted an estimated pup production of 1551 pups (95% CI= 1486-1613). The most important pupping area was as before Breiðafjörður, with 62% of the total estimated pup production.

Based on the pup production, the total grey seal population size in 2022 was estimated to be 6697 animals (95% CI = 5576-7841). This equals to a decrease of approximately 27% since the first census was conducted in 1982, but the estimate is 6.8% higher than when the last estimate was made in 2017. However, trend analysis for the period 2005–2022 revealed no statistically significant trend for the total population size.