§ Mr. Garrettasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has authorised a further cull of grey seals to be undertaken on the Fame Islands.
§ Mr. PeartI have now considered the most recent scientific advice on grey seals and fisheries submitted by the Natural Environment Research Council in regard to the culling of the grey seal colony on the Farne Islands, together with representations which I have received from various organisations.
The latest surveys show that the grey seal population on the islands, which in the 1930s was a few hundreds, has now risen to about 4,000 and is increasing at an annual rate of nearly 8 per cent. per annum. Unless some new natural factor, such as overcrowding, begins to stabilise the population—and as yet there is no evidence of this—it is expected that it will rise to 6,600 by 1968.
Such estimates as can be made of the damage done by the seals to the salmon net fishermen on the east coast of Scotland show no clear trend. On the one hand the reported sightings of seals are somewhat fewer than last year, as is the damage to nets, no doubt because of the increasing use of stronger synthetic fibres. On the other, there has been some increase in the percentage of salmon caught which are marked by seals. In addition there are losses of white fish which cannot be assessed though frequently reported.
35WI have considered carefully and sympathetically the views of those to whom any killing of seals in the sanctuary of the Fame Islands is repugnant, but, having regard to the undoubted damage which these animals do to the fisheries, I cannot think that it would be right to allow the present expansion of the population to continue unchecked.
After considering the most recent evidence, the Natural Environment Research Council recommended that the rate of cull should be maintained for 1965 at 360 female pups or their equivalent for the third year in succession. In order to minimise experimental variation they decided not to recommend a larger cull although it is now clear that the present rate will be insufficient to bring about a 25 per cent. reduction in the seal population, which was the original intention of the cull of 360 pups.
I have decided, after careful consideration, to accept this recommendation.
The cull will be carried out humanely and I hope that, as in the past, an inspector of the R.S.P.C.A. will be present to see that this is the case.
I hope that it will be possible to complete the cull before 4th December when the present Order suspending the close season expires. In case this should not prove practicable, I have laid a draft Order which will enable me if necessary to make a further suspension of the close season to enable the cull to be completed. This is purely a precautionary measure and if the cull can be completed during the currency of the present Order I will not make the draft Order which has been laid.