Distribution of seals

Most of the Baltic ringed seals can be found in the Bay of Bothnia. Photo: Mervi Kunnasranta

The Baltic seals, both the grey and the ringed species, mainly occur in northern areas. The great majority of grey seals and ringed seals are found north from the line formed by Gotland and the Gulf of Riga. The population of grey seals especially has experienced a strong growth during this century, but no similar development has been observed in the southern Baltic Sea. During the census time, towards the end of May and the beginning of June, most of Finland's grey seals can be found in the south-western archipelago: around Åland and the Archipelago Sea.

The yearly distribution of ringed seals follows those sea areas which are the most likely to freeze. The main part (75 per cent) of the Baltic ringed seal population resides in the Bay of Bothnia, about 15 per cent in the Gulf of Riga and the rest in the eastern Gulf of Finland and the Archipelago Sea.

Light grey indicates the distribution areas of the grey seal, dark grey indicates its main breeding areas.

Light grey indicates the distribution areas of the Baltic ringed seal, dark grey indicates its main breeding areas.

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