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Kingdom: Animalia > Phylum: Chordata > Class: Mammalia > Order: Carnivora > Family: Phocidae > Genus: Phoca > Species: Phoca vitulina > See subspecies

Scientific name	Source
Phoca vitulina vitulina Linnaeus, 1758

Common seal - Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758

Images from the web

Quick facts

Threat status Europe	Least Concern (IUCN)
Protected by	EU Habitats Directive and 4 other international agreements
Natura 2000 sites	147 are designated for this species
Most preferred habitats	coastal marine inlets and transitional waters
May also occur in	shelf
Natura 2000 species code	1365

Distribution

The distribution map is currently disabled. A new map solution will soon become available. In the meantime, please consult other species distribution map providers listed in the Other resources panel below.

Threat and conservation status

IUCN Red List status of threatened species

The IUCN Red List threat status assesses the risk of extinction.

World

Least Concern

Europe

Least Concern

IUCN Red List Category

Not Evaluated	Near Threatened	Regionally Extinct
Not Applicable	Vulnerable	Extinct in the Wild
Data Deficient	Endangered	Extinct
Least Concern	Critically Endangered

Sources:

EU conservation status

Conservation status assesses every six years and for each biogeographical region the condition of habitats and species compared to the favourable status as described in the Habitats Directive. The map shows the 2013-2018 assessments as reported by EU Member State. Assessments are further detailed in the summary document available behind the link below.

Good: the species is viable and maintaining itself on a long-term basis, its natural range is not reduced, and it has a sufficient large habitat.
Poor: the species is not as critical as being unfavourable-bad, but still requires significant conservation and restoration measure to make it viable in the long-term, or to enlarged its current range, or to improve the quality and availability of its habitat.
Bad: the species is either not maintaining itself on a long-term basis and is not viable, or its natural range as been or is being drastically reduced, or its habitat is largely insufficient; the species requires major conservation and restoration measures.
Unknown: the information available for the species is scarce and does not allow a proper assessment of its conservation status.

Natura 2000 sites

Protected in the following Natura 2000 sites

Sitecode	Country	Site name	Action
BEMNZ0001	Belgium	Vlaamse Banken	Map
DE1749301	Germany	Greifswalder Oie	Map
DE2016301	Germany	Hamburgisches Wattenmeer	Map
DE2306301	Germany	Nationalpark Niedersächsisches Wattenmeer	Map
DE2424302	Germany	Mühlenberger Loch/Neßsand	Map
DK002X110	Denmark	Saltholm og omliggende hav	Map
DK002X111	Denmark	Vestamager og havet syd for	Map
DK003X202	Denmark	Hesselø med omliggende stenrev	Map
DK003X203	Denmark	Gilbjerg Hoved	Map
DK003X208	Denmark	Tisvilde Hegn og Melby Overdrev	Map
DK005X221	Denmark	Sejerø Bugt og Saltbæk Vig	Map
DK005X276	Denmark	Røsnæs, Røsnæs Rev og Kalundborg Fjord	Map
DK005Y220	Denmark	Havet og kysten mellem Hundested og Rørvig	Map
DK006X233	Denmark	Havet og kysten mellem Præstø Fjord og Grønsund	Map
DK006X234	Denmark	Havet og kysten mellem Karrebæk Fjord og Knudshoved Odde	Map
DK006X238	Denmark	Smålandsfarvandet nord for Lolland, Guldborg Sund, Bøtø Nor, Hyllekrog-Rødsand	Map
DK008X183	Denmark	Fyns Hoved, Lillegrund og Lillestrand	Map
DK008X184	Denmark	Æbelø, havet syd for og Nærå	Map
DK008X190	Denmark	Vresen	Map
DK00AY176	Denmark	Vadehavet med Ribe Å, Tved Å og Varde Å vest for Varde	Map
DK00CY040	Denmark	Venø, Venø Sund	Map
DK00DX146	Denmark	Anholt og havet nord for	Map
DK00DX151	Denmark	Begtrup Vig og kystområder ved Helgenæs	Map
DK00DX155	Denmark	Stavns Fjord, Samsø Østerflak og Nordby Hede	Map
DK00DX321	Denmark	Kaløskovene og Kaløvig	Map
DK00DY156	Denmark	Horsens Fjord, havet øst for og Endelave	Map
DK00EX026	Denmark	Dråby Vig	Map
DK00EY124	Denmark	Løgstør Bredning, Vejlerne og Bulbjerg	Map
DK00EY133	Denmark	Agger Tange, Nissum Bredning, Skibsted Fjord og Agerø	Map
DK00EY134	Denmark	Lovns Bredning, Hjarbæk Fjord og Skals, Simested og Nørre Ådal, Skravad Bæk	Map
DK00FX010	Denmark	Strandenge på Læsø og havet syd herfor	Map
DK00FX112	Denmark	Skagens Gren og Skagerak	Map
DK00FX113	Denmark	Hirsholmene, havet vest herfor og Ellinge Å's udløb	Map
DK00FX122	Denmark	Ålborg Bugt, Randers Fjord og Mariager Fjord	Map
DK00FX123	Denmark	Nibe Bredning, Halkær Ådal og Sønderup Ådal	Map
DK00FX257	Denmark	Havet omkring Nordre Rønner	Map
DK00VA250	Denmark	Store Middelgrund	Map
DK00VA347	Denmark	Sydlige Nordsø	Map
FR2200346	France	Estuaires et littoral picards (baies de Somme et d'Authie)	Map
FR2300121	France	Estuaire de la Seine	Map
FR2300139	France	Littoral Cauchois	Map
FR2500077	France	Baie du Mont Saint-Michel	Map
FR2500079	France	Chausey	Map
FR2500080	France	Littoral Ouest du Cotentin de Bréhal à Pirou	Map
FR2500084	France	Récifs et landes de la Hague	Map
FR2500085	France	Récifs et marais arrière-littoraux du Cap Lévi à la Pointe de Saire	Map
FR2500088	France	Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin - Baie des Veys	Map
FR3100474	France	Dunes de la plaine maritime flamande	Map
FR3100478	France	Falaises du Cran aux Oeufs et du Cap Gris-Nez, Dunes du Chatelet, Marais de Tardinghen et Dunes de Wissant	Map
FR3100479	France	Falaises et dunes de Wimereux, estuaire de la Slack, Garennes et Communaux d'Ambleteuse-Audresselles	Map
FR3100480	France	Estuaire de la Canche, dunes picardes plaquées sur l'ancienne falaise, forêt d'Hardelot et falaise d'Equihen	Map
FR3100482	France	Dunes de l'Authie et Mollières de Berck	Map
FR5300009	France	Côte de Granit rose-Sept-Iles	Map
FR5300011	France	Cap d'Erquy-Cap Fréhel	Map
FR5300012	France	Baie de Lancieux, Baie de l'Arguenon, Archipel de Saint Malo et Dinard	Map
FR5300016	France	Anse de Goulven, dunes de Keremma	Map
FR5300017	France	Abers - Côte des légendes	Map
FR5300029	France	Golfe du Morbihan, côte ouest de Rhuys	Map
FR5300046	France	Rade de Brest, estuaire de l'Aulne	Map
FR5300052	France	Côte de Cancale à Paramé	Map
FR5300061	France	Estuaire de la Rance	Map
FR5300066	France	Baie de Saint-Brieuc - Est	Map
IE0000090	Ireland	Glengarriff Harbour and Woodland SAC	Map
IE0000133	Ireland	Donegal Bay (Murvagh) SAC	Map
IE0000197	Ireland	West of Ardara/Maas Road SAC	Map
IE0000204	Ireland	Lambay Island SAC	Map
IE0000268	Ireland	Galway Bay Complex SAC	Map
IE0000458	Ireland	Killala Bay/Moy Estuary SAC	Map
IE0000622	Ireland	Ballysadare Bay SAC	Map
IE0000627	Ireland	Cummeen Strand/Drumcliff Bay (Sligo Bay) SAC	Map
IE0000781	Ireland	Slaney River Valley SAC	Map
IE0001482	Ireland	Clew Bay Complex SAC	Map
IE0002111	Ireland	Kilkieran Bay and Islands SAC	Map
IE0002158	Ireland	Kenmare River SAC	Map
IE0002283	Ireland	Rutland Island and Sound SAC	Map
NL1000001	Netherlands	Waddenzee	Map
NL3009016	Netherlands	Oosterschelde	Map
NL4000017	Netherlands	Voordelta	Map
NL4000021	Netherlands	Grevelingen	Map
NL9801079	Netherlands	Duinen Goeree & Kwade Hoek	Map
NL9802001	Netherlands	Noordzeekustzone	Map
NL9803061	Netherlands	Westerschelde & Saeftinghe	Map
SE0330108	Sweden	Ottenby NR	Map
SE0330109	Sweden	Eckelsudde	Map
SE0330123	Sweden	Värnanäs skärgård	Map
SE0330174	Sweden	Sydöstra Ölands sjömarker	Map
SE0410113	Sweden	Isaks kläpp	Map
SE0420002	Sweden	Hallands Väderö	Map
SE0430095	Sweden	Falsterbohalvön	Map
SE0510050	Sweden	Balgö	Map
SE0510058	Sweden	Kungsbackafjorden	Map
SE0510084	Sweden	Nidingen	Map
SE0520001	Sweden	Vrångöskärgården	Map
SE0520036	Sweden	Sälöfjorden	Map
SE0520043	Sweden	Nordre älvs estuarium	Map
SE0520170	Sweden	Kosterfjorden-Väderöfjorden	Map
SE0520171	Sweden	Gullmarsfjorden	Map
SE0520176	Sweden	Pater Noster-skärgården	Map
DE2516331	Germany	Nebenarme der Weser mit Strohauser Plate und Juliusplate	Map
BEMNZ0004	Belgium	SBZ 3 / ZPS 3	Map
DE1542302	Germany	Recknitz-Ästuar und Halbinsel Zingst	Map
DE1209301	Germany	Sylter Außenriff	Map
BEMNZ0005	Belgium	Vlakte van de Raan	Map
DE1541301	Germany	Darß	Map
DE2018331	Germany	Unterelbe	Map
DE1446302	Germany	Nordrügensche Boddenlandschaft	Map
BEMNZ0002	Belgium	SBZ 1 / ZPS 1	Map
DE1544302	Germany	Westrügensche Boddenlandschaft mit Hiddensee	Map
DE2104301	Germany	Borkum-Riffgrund	Map
DE1813391	Germany	Helgoland mit Helgoländer Felssockel	Map
DE2316331	Germany	Unterweser	Map
DE1934302	Germany	Wismarbucht	Map
DE1011401	Germany	SPA Östliche Deutsche Bucht	Map
DE2031301	Germany	Küste Klützer Winkel und Ufer von Dassower See und Trave	Map
BEMNZ0003	Belgium	SBZ 2 / ZPS 2	Map
DE1714391	Germany	Steingrund	Map
DE1332301	Germany	Fehmarnbelt	Map
DE1003301	Germany	Doggerbank	Map
DE2507331	Germany	Unterems und Außenems	Map
DE1747301	Germany	Greifswalder Bodden, Teile des Strelasundes und Nordspitze Usedom	Map
DE2323392	Germany	Schleswig-Holsteinisches Elbästuar und angrenzende Flächen	Map
DE0916391	Germany	NTP S-H Wattenmeer und angrenzende Küstengebiete	Map
DE1123393	Germany	Küstenbereiche Flensburger Förde von Flensburg bis Geltinger Birk	Map
DE1345301	Germany	Erweiterung Libben, Steilküste und Blockgründe Wittow und Arkona	Map
DE1540302	Germany	Darßer Schwelle	Map
DE1934303	Germany	Erweiterung Wismarbucht	Map
DE1749302	Germany	Greifswalder Boddenrandschwelle und Teile der Pommerschen Bucht	Map
DE2507301	Germany	Hund und Paapsand	Map
DE1343301	Germany	Plantagenetgrund	Map
SE0520058	Sweden	Måseskär	Map
SE0520057	Sweden	Malmöfjord	Map
SE0520188	Sweden	Soteskär	Map
FR3102003	France	Récifs Gris-Nez Blanc-Nez	Map
FR3102005	France	Baie de Canche et couloir des trois estuaires	Map
FR2502020	France	Baie de Seine occidentale	Map
FR2502019	France	Anse de Vauville	Map
FR2502021	France	Baie de Seine orientale	Map
FR2502018	France	Banc et récifs de Surtainville	Map
NL2008003	Netherlands	Vlakte van de Raan	Map
NL2008002	Netherlands	Klaverbank	Map
NL2008001	Netherlands	Doggersbank	Map
FR3102004	France	Ridens et dunes hydrauliques du détroit du Pas-de-Calais	Map
FR3102002	France	Bancs des Flandres	Map
IE0003000	Ireland	Rockabill to Dalkey Island SAC	Map
IE0002998	Ireland	West Connacht Coast SAC	Map
SE0420360	Sweden	Nordvästra Skånes havsområde	Map
SE0430187	Sweden	Sydvästskånes utsjövatten	Map

Protected sites

Please note the site map takes a while to display.

Legal status

Mentioned in the following international legal instruments and agreements

Legal text	Annex	Conditions	More information
Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora - consolidated version 01/01/2007 (EU Habitats Directive)	Annex II: animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation.		http://ec.europa.eu/environm...rective/index_en.htm
	Annex V: animal and plant species of community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures.
Convention on the conservation of European wildlife and natural habitats (Bern Convention)	Annex III: protected fauna species		http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cul.../bern/default_en.asp
	Revised Annex I of Resolution 6 (1998) of the Bern Convention listing the species requiring specific habitat conservation measures (year of revision 2011)		https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc....ckColorLogged=FDC864 Resolution No. 6 (1998) of the Bern Convention lists the species requiring specific habitat conservation measures [and the designation of Areas of Special Conservation Interest (ASCIs) forming for the Emerald network]
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (Bonn Convention)	Annex II: migratory species which have an unfavourable conservation status and which require international agreements for their conservation and management, as well as those which have a conservation status which would significantly benefit from the international co-operation that could be achieved by an international agreement.	Only Baltic and Wadden Sea populations	http://www.cms.int/
Agreement on the Conservation of Seals in the Wadden Sea. Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. (Bonn Convention. Wadden Sea Seals.)	Phoca vitulina and Halichoerus grypus		http://www.migratoryspecies....ent/about-cms-family http://www.waddensea-secreta...ment/seal-management

Common names and synonyms

Common Name	Language	Reference
Borjúfóka	Hungarian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Common seal	English	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Foca común	Spanish	EC-DGXI.d2, ETC/NC
Foca comune	Italian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Foca moteada	Spanish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Foca-vitulina	Portuguese	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Foka pospolita	Polish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Gewone zeehond	Dutch	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Harbour seal	English	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Kirjohylje	Finnish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Knubbsäl	Swedish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Landselur	Icelandic	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Liman focu	Turkish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Navadni tjulenj	Slovenian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Paprastasis ruonis	Lithuanian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Phoque veau-marin	French	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Plankumainais ronis	Latvian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Randalhüljes	Estonian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Seehund	German	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Séihond	Luxemburgish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Spættet sæl	Danish	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.
Steinkobbe	Norwegian	Mitchell-Jones, A.J. & al.

No synonyms available.

Other resources

CoL (accepted name)	Catalogue of Life
EoL	Encyclopedia of Life
Fauna Europaea	Fauna Europaea
GBIF	Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Habitats Directive Art. 17-2006 summary
ITIS (Valid name)	Interagency Taxonomic Information System
NCBI	National Center for Biotechnology Information
PESI (Accepted)	Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure
Wikipedia	Wikipedia
WoRMS	World Register of Marine Species

External data

Reportnet deliveries

Files delivered through Reportnet with relevance to this species.

19 items found, displaying all items.1

Released	Coverage	Envelope	File
2014-01-28	Denmark	2nd submission 2007-2012	DK_species_reports-131220-95922.xml
2013-12-30	Sweden	Report on Implementation Measures (Art.17.1)_delivery 2013	SE_species_reports-131230-111623.xml
2013-12-20	Germany	German national report 2013	DE_species_reports.xml
2013-12-18	Netherlands	NL 2013 report art. 17	NL_species_reports_2013-12-09compleet2.xml
2013-12-09	Poland	Habitats Directive Art. 17 Report	PL_species_reports.xml
2013-10-10	United Kingdom	Habitats Directive Article 17 2013 2nd submission UK	GB_species_reports-13925-15297.xml
2013-09-18	France	Rapport France 2013	FR_species_reports.xml
2013-09-18	Portugal	Relatorio nacional sobre a implementacao da Directiva Habitats 2013	PT_species_reports.xml
2013-09-16	Belgium	Second Release Art17 Belgium	BE_species_reports-13916-154440.xml
2013-09-13	Ireland	Habitats Directive Article 17 Report 2013	IE_species_reports-1396-14232.xml
2008-04-10	Germany	German national report	Phoca vitulina
2008-03-17	Netherlands	NL Report HR 2007	Phoca vitulina
2008-02-28	France	rapport France	Phoca vitulina
2008-02-26	Denmark	DK	Species questionnaire for Phoca vitulina
2008-02-25	United Kingdom	UK_submission	Phoca vitulina
2008-01-16	Belgium	Natura 2000 habitat report	Species questionnaire for Phoca vitulina
2008-01-11	Ireland	Habitats Directive Article 17 report	Phoca vitulina
2007-10-02	Sweden	Report on Implementation Measures (Art.17.1)_delivery 2007	Species questionnaire for Phoca vitulina
2007-10-01	Poland	Report on Implementation Measures	Species questionnaire for Phoca vitulina

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