§ Mr. Onslowasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is his estimate of the impact of grey and common seal populations on fish stocks in British waters.
§ Mr. GummerI am not able to make an estimate in the terms defined. This would require detailed information on the age composition and quantities of individual species of fish consumed by seals, which is not available. The most recent information available on the diet and quantities of fish consumed by grey seals is included in the report entitled "Interaction between Grey Seals and. UK Fisheries" prepared by the National Environment Research Council of a study commissioned jointly by this Department and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland. This was deposited in the Library of the House on 26 June 1984. There is no equivalent study in respect of common seals. My right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and I are currently planning further research to improve our information on these matters and this Department has 35W initiated a survey to estimate the level of predation of the Farne Islands seal population on the north-east coast fisheries.