§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many licences have been issued for the shooting of seals during 1991.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their current policy on the issuing of licences to shoot and kill grey and common seals for the prevention of damage to fish stocks, salmon farming and wild salmon.
§ Lord StrathclydeApplications for licences to shoot seals to prevent damage to fisheries or fauna are considered on their individual merits. Licences are likely to be granted only where other preventive or defensive options were not possible or had proved ineffective. The Government welcomes the advice agreed between the major salmon farming organisations in Scotland and nature conservation organisations that non-destructive preventive measures should be taken wherever possible and that shooting of seals should be used only as a last resort.
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§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the estimated population of common and grey seals off the English and Scottish coastlines.
§ Lord StrathclydeThe latest estimates of seal numbers in Great Britain by the Sea Mammal Research Unit have been published in NERC News No. 20 (January 1992), a copy of which is available in the Library. The estimates are for Great Britain as a whole. The total of common seals is estimated to be at least 24,950 with approximately 2,000 around the coasts of England and Wales and 23,000 around the coasts of Scotland. For grey seals, the British population at the start of the 1990 pupping season was estimated to be 85,100, of which 6,900 were associated with breeding sites in England and Wales and 78,200 with breeding sites in Scotland.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many fish farmers and salmon netsmen have participated in the recent voluntary survey into the shooting of seals at fish farms and netting stations and with what result.
§ Lord StrathclydeThe survey, carried out by the Sea Mammal Research Unit with the co-operation of the Scottish Office Agriculture and Fisheries Department, invited representative organisations to collect figures from the fishermen they represent. These organisations included the Association of Scottish District Salmon Fishery Boards, The Salmon Net Fishing Association of Scotland, the Scottish Salmon Growers Association and The Shetland Salmon Farmers Association. Regions of the National Rivers Authority and local fishing organisations in areas of England with seals were also invited to participate.
Individual returns were not collected centrally. Overall, the rate of return and detail provided varied a good deal. The returns which were received indicate that a total of 531 seals were shot in the 2 years 1989 and 1990 of which 215 were identified as common seals and 27 as grey seals and 209 were not identified by species.
The possibility of a different form of survey is being considered. For estimation of seal populations, however, the best available method is to count pups and seals at haul out sites. The quality and effectiveness of surveys and population estimation by SMRU will continue to be kept under review.
§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations have been made to effect a cull of grey seals off the Scottish coastline, and whether consideration is being given to carrying out a major cull of the grey seal population.
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§ Lord StrathclydeSome fishermen and local organisations have argued that numbers of grey seals should be reduced in certain areas. The Government has no plans for a cull of grey seals.