Distribution: Arctic and northern sub-Arctic
waters across the North Atlantic north of Newfoundland, Iceland, northern
Norway and Russia. There are three well-defined whelping areas: Nwefoundland
(Gulf/Front), Jan Mayen (the "Western Ice") and the White Sea.
Population and catches: For the Northwest Atlantic the population estimate (based on pup production) is close to 5 million. The 1997 Canadian quota was 275,000 of which about 260,000 were taken. Greenlanders take about 50,000 annually from the same stock. The Central Atlantic population is estimated between 170,000 and 375,000. In 1996 Norwegian sealers took 6,427 from this stock. The Norwegian quota in 1997 was 13,100 adults. For quota purposes, two pups are considered the equivalent of one adult, and up to half the quota can be taken in the form of weaned pups. This means the total quota can reach 19,650 if the maximum number of pups are taken. No size estimate is available for the Eastern Atlantic population. A survey was undertaken in 1997, but the data are still being analysed. Over the past few years, the combined Russian and Norwegian take from this stock has totalled about 40,000 annually, and in 1997, too, the quota has been set at 40,000. This level of harvesting is considerably lower than in previous times.