The Big Seal Count was conducted this Sunday, and this is the third time that the seals are counted in this way in Húnaþing vestra. This time the volunteers were about 45 from every age, both foreign and native. Those who had travelled furthest to participate were a four person family from Brazil who had organized their trip around Iceland so they could help with the counting. Summed up the volunteers walked about 100 km during the counting  but the area had been expanded since last year and stretched from the southern tip of Sigríðstaðavatn lake and to Reykir in Hrútafjörður.

The beach was divided into 27 smaller areas which were all counted at the same time around low tide. In total there were 1019 seals this year, which is rather good given the weather, since a rather strong wind was on some areas which makes it less appealing for the seals to bask on the reefs. In 2008 we counted 1124 seals but then the seal count was conducted during one of the best days of the summer.

The Icelandic Seal Center wants to thank all its participants to the big seal count both the staff and the volunteers for invaluable help, without you this could not have happened.