Saimaa Ringed Seal
Encyclopedia
The Saimaa ringed seal (Pusa hispida saimensis, is a subspecies of ringed seal
(Pusa hispida). They are among the most endangered seals in the world, having a total population of only about 260 individuals. The only existing population of these seals is found in Lake Saimaa
, Finland
(hence the name). The population is descended from ringed seals that were separated from the rest when the land rose after the last ice age
. This seal, along with the Ladoga Seal
and the Baikal Seal, is one of the few living freshwater seal
s.
.
In order to protect the Saimaa ringed seal, there are voluntary fisheries restrictions in a part of their living areas. The most important form of restriction is a ban for fishing nets from April 15th to the end of June in about 15% of the lake; nearly all fishing is recreational. Bycatch mortality has, however, remained high with estimated mortality of 20–30 seals annually, most of them pups of the same year. A committee proposed in the end of 2008 that the areal extent of the restrictions should be extended. The most effective way for this would be a legal ban, but the minister of agriculture and forestry, Sirkka-Liisa Anttila
has so far been unwilling to use any general bans in the protection of the Saimaa seal. Anttila tries instead to encourage free-time fishermen with compensation money to voluntary argeements for restrictions of fishing. As of May, 2009 this has not succeeded as only some 20–30% of a target of 1000 additional square kilometres of freetime fisheries restrictions (there is also a handful of professional fishermen) has been filled up.
The Saimaa ringed seal lives nowadays mainly in two Finnish national parks, Kolovesi
and Linnansaari
. Strays have been seen on much larger area, including Savonlinna
centre.
Ringed Seal
The ringed seal , also known as the jar seal and as netsik or nattiq by the Inuit, is an earless seal inhabiting the Arctic and sub-Arctic regions...
(Pusa hispida). They are among the most endangered seals in the world, having a total population of only about 260 individuals. The only existing population of these seals is found in Lake Saimaa
Saimaa
Saimaa is a lake in southeastern Finland. At approximately , it is the largest lake in Finland, and the fourth largest in Europe. It was formed by glacial melting at the end of the Ice Age. Major towns on the lakeshore include Lappeenranta, Imatra, Savonlinna, Mikkeli, Varkaus, and Joensuu. The...
, Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
(hence the name). The population is descended from ringed seals that were separated from the rest when the land rose after the last ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
. This seal, along with the Ladoga Seal
Ladoga Seal
The Ladoga ringed seal , is a freshwater subspecies of the ringed seal which are found entirely in Lake Ladoga in northwestern Russia. The subspecies evolved during the last ice age, about 11,000 years ago...
and the Baikal Seal, is one of the few living freshwater seal
Freshwater seal
The freshwater seals are the species of seals which live exclusively in freshwater bodies.The only true freshwater seal species is the Baikal Seal....
s.
Appearance
An adult Saimaa ringed seal is between 85 and 160 cm (2.8 and 5.2 ft) in length and weighs between 40 and 90 kg (88.2 and 198.4 lb); males usually being larger than females. They are coloured dark gray, with a gray-black dorsal with circular white rings. The bottom is light gray. The Saimaa ringed seal is darker in color than other ringed seals.Reproduction
Saimaa ringed seals become mature between the ages of 3 and 7. Their pregnancy rate is between 80 and 95 percent. Ringed seals' gestation lasts 11 months. Their pups are between 55 and 65 cm (1.8 and 2.1 ft), and 4 to 5 kg (8.8 to 11 lb) at birth. The Saimaa ringed seal's longevity is just over 20 years. With the current population level, between 30 and 60 (65 in 2004) pups are born every year, about half of which reach adulthood. Metsähallitus Natural Heritage Services found evidence for only 43 pups in 2009 (40 of those alive); it is unclear what is behind the reduced pup production.Conservation
The Saimaa ringed seal has been protected since 1955. In 1983, the population was between 100 and 150 seals. In 2005, it was about 270, but as a result of two unfavorable breeding seasons, 2006 and 2007, the number is now down to 260. It is thought that the immediate threat of extinction would be alleviated if the population grew to over 400 individuals. It is listed as endangered by the U.S. government under the Endangered Species ActEndangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
.
In order to protect the Saimaa ringed seal, there are voluntary fisheries restrictions in a part of their living areas. The most important form of restriction is a ban for fishing nets from April 15th to the end of June in about 15% of the lake; nearly all fishing is recreational. Bycatch mortality has, however, remained high with estimated mortality of 20–30 seals annually, most of them pups of the same year. A committee proposed in the end of 2008 that the areal extent of the restrictions should be extended. The most effective way for this would be a legal ban, but the minister of agriculture and forestry, Sirkka-Liisa Anttila
Sirkka-Liisa Anttila
Sirkka-Liisa Anttila is a Finnish politician and the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in Matti Vanhanen's second cabinet...
has so far been unwilling to use any general bans in the protection of the Saimaa seal. Anttila tries instead to encourage free-time fishermen with compensation money to voluntary argeements for restrictions of fishing. As of May, 2009 this has not succeeded as only some 20–30% of a target of 1000 additional square kilometres of freetime fisheries restrictions (there is also a handful of professional fishermen) has been filled up.
The Saimaa ringed seal lives nowadays mainly in two Finnish national parks, Kolovesi
Kolovesi National Park
Kolovesi National Park is a national park in the Southern Savonia region of Finland. It was established in 1990 and covers . It protects e.g. the habitat of the critically endangered Saimaa Ringed Seal. Typical of the rugged scenery of Kolovesi, formed by the ice age, are craggy cliffs rising from...
and Linnansaari
Linnansaari National Park
Linnansaari National Park is a national park in the Southern Savonia and Northern Savonia regions of Finland. It lies in the middle of the lake Haukivesi, a part of greater Saimaa. The National Park was established to conserve the valuable natural features of the Finnish lakeland.On the main...
. Strays have been seen on much larger area, including Savonlinna
Savonlinna
Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "Newcastle".- History :...
centre.