grey seal
VU

grey seal

Halichoerus grypus

UnknownLCEULCEU

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_seal

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Grey seals face significant pressure from commercial fishing operations through bycatch in nets and competition for fish stocks, particularly in the North Atlantic. Coastal development and marine pollution, including plastic debris and chemical contaminants, pose additional threats to breeding colonies and foraging areas. Climate change is altering prey distribution and availability, while historical hunting pressure severely reduced populations, though some recovery has occurred under protection measures.

Threat summary

Habitat

Grey seals inhabit coastal waters, rocky shores, and sandy beaches across the North Atlantic, using isolated islands and remote coastlines for breeding colonies. They forage in both shallow coastal waters and deeper offshore areas, diving to depths of up to 300 meters to hunt fish, crustaceans, and cephalopods.

MARINE· major

Other threatened species in Phocidae

Common SealCR

Common Seal

Phoca vitulina

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is grey seal classified as Vulnerable?
grey seal is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Grey seals face significant pressure from commercial fishing operations through bycatch in nets and competition for fish stocks, particularly in the North Atlantic. Coastal development and marine pollution, including plastic debris and chemical contaminants, pose additional threats to breeding colonies and foraging areas. Climate change is altering prey distribution and availability, while historical hunting pressure severely reduced populations, though some recovery has occurred under protection measures.
Where does grey seal live?
grey seal occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to grey seal?
The main threats to grey seal are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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