In the context of global change, the poles are subject to significant physical changes. These could have a major impact on the fauna present at these latitudes, which is often endemic, such as the Weddell seal (Leptonychotes weddellii). The Weddell seal is an Antarctic coastal seal with a circumpolar distribution. The fast-ice, i.e. sea ice directly attached to the continent or the sea floor, is essential to this seal species to give birth and nurse, avoid predators and to rest. Data from capture-mark-recapture protocols have been collected on individuals of the population present around the Pointe Géologie archipelago, Adélie Land, Antarctica, since 2006. As part of the SENtinels of the SEa Ice (SenSeI) project, the objectives were to (a) estimate adult survival, temporary emigration, abundance and population growth rate of the Weddell seals population at Pointe Géologie, and (b) explore the links between these demographic parameters and sea-ice dynamics. We found an effect of Sea-Ice Extent (SIE) on the temporary emigration for both sexes as well as variability of the capture probabilities according to sex. The abundance estimate suggested stability in the population for both sexes.
Key words: Leptonychotes weddellii, demography, Adélie land, fast-ice, sentinel species
