§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What estimates have been made of the numbers of grey seals off the coast of Scotland especially in the areas of the river estuaries frequently sought by the Atlantic salmon during the last five years; what is the estimated predatory damages to salmon stocks, and whether a cull has been contemplated.
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Sanderson of Bowden)The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland obtains advice from the National Environment Research Council as to estimates of seal populations. Advice relating to grey seal populations has been obtained for each major breeding area.
703WAThe estimates of total population size in each of those areas during the period 1983–1986 are as follows:
Inner Hebrides Outer Hebrides and Orkney Shetland* Farnes and Isle of May Total 1983 7,500 61,000 3,500 8,500 80,500 1984 7,500 62,000 (3,500) 8,500 81,500 1985 7,500 69,500 (3,500) 8,500 89,000 1986 7,500 73,000 (3,500) 8,500 92,500 1987 Figures not yet available *Not surveyed since 1983 Outwith the breeding season grey seals are widely dispersed and mobile and it is not possible to obtain reliable estimates of the numbers in the areas of the river estuaries sought by the Atlantic salmon. For the same reason it is not possible to estimate the predation mortality generated by seals on the stocks of Atlantic salmon. There are no plans to reintroduce a seal cull or pup hunt.