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EnvironmentOver 20 dead grey seals found on German Baltic coast, cause unknown
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Since the beginning of May 2026, more than 20 dead grey seals have been discovered along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, primarily on the southeastern coast of Rügen, with additional findings on Usedom and in the Greifswald Bodden. The cause of death remains unclear, according to the Schwerin Ministry of the Environment. Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) stated that the deaths are being taken seriously but cautioned against speculation, emphasizing the need for scientific investigation. Current inspections have found no evidence linking the deaths to fishing activities, as all traps have required entry barriers and no seal bycatch has been reported. The article highlights ongoing efforts to determine the cause of this unusual mortality event among grey seals, which are among Germany's largest native predators.
Source report
A gray seal on its way into the water. The marine mammals are among the largest native predators in Germany. Source: Lars Penning/dpa
More than 20 dead gray seals have been discovered along the coast of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania since the beginning of May. The cause of death remains unclear.
Discovery Locations
- The majority of findings are concentrated on the southeastern coast of Rügen.
- Individual animals have also been found on the outer coast of Usedom and in the Greifswald Bodden, according to the Schwerin Ministry of the Environment.
Investigation Findings
According to current information, there is no evidence linking the deaths to fishing activities in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Key points from the ministry's announcement on Friday include:
- All traps set this year are equipped with the required entry barriers.
- Inspections by the fisheries supervisory authority have confirmed compliance.
- No reports of seal bycatch have been submitted to the fisheries supervisory authority to date.
Official Response
Environment Minister Till Backhaus (SPD) stated: "We take the seal deaths very seriously." He cautioned against drawing premature conclusions about the causes, adding: "Our goal is to clarify the causes based on scientific findings, not to speculate."
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Source
Nachrichten - WELTWestern
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Strikingly Many Dead Grey Seals Found on German Baltic Coast