
2018–2021 Ice Seal Unusual Mortality Event in Alaska
Since June 1, 2018, elevated ice seal strandings have occurred in the Bering and Chukchi seas in Alaska. This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).

Since June 1, 2018, elevated strandings for bearded, ringed and spotted seals have occurred in the Bering and Chukchi seas in Alaska. This event has been declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME).
Ice Seal Strandings (as of December 31, 2020)
Year | Bearded | Ringed | Spotted | Unidentified | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 (June 1-Dec 31) | 35 | 29 | 20 | 28 | 112 |
2019 | 49 | 36 | 23 | 57 | 165 |
2020 (as of December 31) | 10 | 9 | 8 | 11 | 38 |
2021 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Total | 94 | 74 | 51 | 96 | 315 |