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Long-term variability in the abundance of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Signy Island, South Orkneys

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Abstract

The number of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella hauled out at Signy Island in the South Orkneys was monitored annually between 1977 and 2008. Over the study period seal abundance showed a tenfold increase, from a minimum of 1,643 seals in 1978 to a maximum of 21,303 in 1994. The majority of individuals observed were young adult males, likely to be migrants from South Georgia, with small numbers of female seals and only 65 pups recorded during the survey period. Variability in counts showed a similar pattern to Laurie Island, also in the South Orkneys archipelago, suggesting a similar annual immigration of seals to these two islands. The date of first seal arrival was correlated with the date of fast-ice breakout at Factory Cove, Signy Island, and years in which break out was exceptionally late (>21 December) corresponded with years of reduced seal abundance. While the presence of fast-ice during the early breeding season may currently inhibit the establishment of a major breeding population of fur seals at Signy Island, it is important that routine monitoring should continue, particularly in the light of current patterns of climate warming in the Antarctic.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all personnel at Signy Island over the years who have assisted with counting seals, and the staff of the British Antarctic Survey Archives Service for their help in tracking down various reports and information. We also thank Helen Peat for help with data management, Andy Clarke for access to the fast-ice data and Iain Staniland, Jaume Forcada, Phil Trathan and three reviewers for advice and comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript. This is a contribution to the Ecosystems Programme at BAS.

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  1. British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, UK

    Claire M. Waluda, Susan Gregory & Michael J. Dunn

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  1. Claire M. Waluda
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  2. Susan Gregory
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  3. Michael J. Dunn
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Correspondence to Claire M. Waluda.

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Waluda, C.M., Gregory, S. & Dunn, M.J. Long-term variability in the abundance of Antarctic fur seals Arctocephalus gazella at Signy Island, South Orkneys. Polar Biol 33, 305–312 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-009-0706-2

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