§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the most recent estimate he has made of the damage to fishing caused by seals off the east coast of Scotland, particularly off Angus and Kincardineshire.
§ Mr. RossThe annual loss to the salmon industry in the east coast of Scotland has been estimated at somewhere between £42,000 and £67,000. It is known that seals consume considerable quantities of other fish but not enough evidence has been submitted to my Department of damage to other fisheries to enable an estimate to be made and I hope that the fishermen, who have been asked to give such information to my Department, will now do so.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware of the present activity of seals off the east coast of Scotland; and what action he will take to prevent damage to fishing.
§ Mr. RossI have seen reports of recent damage to white fish catches. In recent104W years an annual cull of grey seal pups has been undertaken in Orkney during the close season with a view to reducing the number of seals and the damage done to salmon and other fisheries. Meanwhile I might remind the hon. Member that in the open season from 1st January to 31st August fishermen are free to kill seals without permits.