ABSTRACT
The choice of sampling sites obviously depends on where marine mammals are to be found. Seal samples can be obtained on land, particularly at haul-out sites (McConnell, Prime, Hiby & Harwood, 1984; Prime & Hammond, 1985a; Harkonen, 1987, 1988), breeding sites, and salmon nets (Millais, 1906; Rae, 1960). They can also be obtained at river mouths and estuaries, where seals may be observed feeding (Roffe & Mate, 1984), and anywhere that dead seals are washed ashore (Treacy, 1985; Selzer et al., 1986; Pierce, Diack & Boyle, 1989). Some workers have taken otariid seals at sea (Wilke & Kenyon, 1957; Fiscus & Baines, 1966; Perez & Mooney, 1986), and seals may also be accidentally entrapped in offshore fishing nets (Rae, 1960; Troutman, 1985). Phocid seals have not been extensively sampled at sea, and would be difficult to locate unless radio-tagged.
