Seals (Hansard, 7 March 1988)

§ Mr. Strang
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will institute a study of the number of grey and common seals killed annually on the east coast of Scotland; and whether he will consider seeking to amend the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 to secure the indigenous grey and common seal populations.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
My right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to put in hand such a study. It would be expensive and the results likely to be unreliable. There is no legal requirement on the public to report the number of seals shot outwith the close season, during which shooting can only take place under licence or to prevent seals causing damage to fisheries.
My right hon. and learned Friend does not consider that the available evidence would justify an amendment to the Conservation of Seals Act for the purpose proposed. It is estimated by the Environment Research Council that the size of the Scottish population of grey seals is expected to be 92,500, an annual increase of 5 per cent. over the period 1985 to 1987. The minimum size of the common seals is estimated to be some 18,100 animals.

§ Mr. Strang
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many salmon netting stations are located around the east coast of Scotland; how many seals are shot around these stations; and how many seals are killed around all fish farms annually.
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§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
Comprehensive information on the numbers of salmon netting stations around the Scottish coast and annual records of the number of seals killed around netting stations and fish farms are not kept centrally.

§ Mr. Strang
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the current population of common seals on the east coast of Scotland.

§ Mr. Michael Forsyth
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland obtains advice from the Natural Environment Research Council as to estimates of seal populations.
The most recent estimates obtained from the council in respect of common seals were provided by surveys carried out by the sea mammal research unit in 1984. These showed a minimum total population in that area of some 1,000 animals.