Sightings of tagged largha seals (Phoca largha Pallas, 1811) along the coast of the Sea of Japan during migrations

The paper provides a review of methods for tagging the spotted seal, identifying tags, and determining migration routes. It has been shown that the “brand” mark is the most durable and allows one to recognize an animal for up to 15 years or more. Over 12 years of observations in the Lazovsky District, 28 branded individuals were encountered in the haul-out sites of Opasny Island and Cape Kambalny. Most of the sighted animals have been tagged on Matveev and De-Livron Islands. Our observations confirm that the spring migration of the largha seals takes place in April–May, during which the animals migrate from the Peter the Great Bay north to the Tartary Strait, Sakhalin and Hokkaido. Autumn migration takes place in October–November in the opposite direction.