Haul-out pattern of itinerant male Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) at Laurie Island, South Orkney Islands

CARLINI A., DANERI G., CASAUX R. Y MÁRQUEZ M.

Polish Polar Research

Año: 2006 vol. 25 p. 139 - 144

The seasonal haul-out pattern of itinerant Antarctic fur seals (Arctocephalus gazella) was determined by regular counts at Mossman Peninsula, Laurie Islands, South Orkney Islands, from 1996 to 2005. Small numbers of animals began to arrive at the beach in late December/early January (mean date 28 Dcember +/- 15 days, n=10). Peak numbers of animals ashore changed considerably between seasons. In 1996, 1998 and 2001, peak numbers were registered in March (6/3, 18/3 and 6/3 respectively). Numbers peaked in 1997, 1999 and 2005 at the end of January/ beggining of February  (26/1, 2/2 and 28/1 respectively).  In 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004 peaks were registered in the third week of February (15/2, 22/2, 14/2 and 20/2, respectively). Peaks in number of seals ashore also varied between years, being minimum during 2001 (2531 individuals) and maximum during 2006 (16610 individuals). In March 1998 the costs of Laurie Island were surveyed by navigating inflatable boats near the shoreline; 18 haul-out places were identified. The big differences in peak numbers, as well as  in the days of peak events among years , suggested that local conditions could  have an effect on  the numbers of animals  hauled out  in a given  year. It may therefore  be difficult to predict trends from summer censuses in non-breeding places.