Use constraints: Data can be used freely given that the source is cited (following creative commons license CC-BY). The source should be cited as: “HELCOM HOLAS II Dataset: Predator control of seabirds (2017)"

From Estonia, Sweden and Finland data from 2015 was unavailable. Zero values in the dataset may not necessarily represent actual information of hunting statistics as missing values are also presented as 0.

Data from Denmark is based on voluntary reporting. Additionally the exact spatial location of the data was unknown. The reported point data was merged within the county lines and/or within the HELCOM unit assessment level ¾. Values presented from Limfjorden might also include data from the North Sea (counties with coastal zones facing both Limfjorden and the North Sea).

Data from Estonia is based on the returned hunting permits and merged as a national dataset.

Spatial resolution of the data from Finland is based on local Centres of Economic Development, Transport and the Environment and fitted into counties. The number of hunted cormorants are given according to admitted hunting permits per year.

The Swedish dataset has been extracted from the Habides and Habides+ databases, i.e. data regarding derogations according to reporting obligations under the Birds Directive. The County Administrative Boards supplies the SEPA with data for each county.

The dataset is however incomplete as:

- Data can be missing from some CABs some of the years.

- Data could not be sufficiently calculated per year as the derogations in some cases cover more than one year, and the database only gives the total amount/period.

- In some cases the dataset indicates that 0 (zero) birds have been taken, and in these cases it is not defined if it is actually 0 or if it should be "unknown".

Spatial unit varies between countries, but seaward limit is always 3 nautical miles from shoreline.

The dataset was approved by all HELCOM Contracting Parties in the HOLAS II Human activities data review process during first quarter of 2017 after corrections.

National data provider

Denmark: The Danish Nature Agency

Estonia: Estonian Hunter`s Society

Finland: Finnish Environment Institute

Sweden: Swedish Environmental Protection Agency