Report of the Working Group on Harp and Hooded Seals (WGHARP)

The ICES/NAFO Working Group on Harp and Hooded Seals (WGHARP) met during 26-30 August 2013 at the Knipovich Polar Research Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanography (PINRO, Murmansk, Russia. The WG received presentations related to stock identity, catch (mortality) estimates, abundance estimates, and biological parameters of White Sea/Barents Sea, Greenland Sea and Northwest Atlantic Ocean harp and hooded seal stocks, and provided updated catch options for northeast Atlantic harp and hooded seals in response to a request from Norway.  The WG concluded their meeting on 30 August. In attendance were scientists representing Canada (2), Greenland (1), Norway (4), and Russia (8).