Haul-out behaviour of Arctic ringed seals (Pusa hispida): inter-annual patterns and impacts of current environmental change

Hauling out onto a solid substrate is an integral part of most pinnipeds’ activity budgets. Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) are an Arctic species that hauls out on sea ice routinely throughout the year. In 2006, a sudden change in the sea-ice regime occurred in Svalbard (Norway). Amongst other changes, the amount of land-fast ice declined sharply. This study examined the intra- and inter-annual haul-out behaviour of 60 ringed seals equipped with...