§ Mr. John TownendTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will estimate how many seals there are in the North sea and what effect they have on fish stocks.
§ Mr. CurryIt is estimated that there are approximately 55,000 seals in the North sea. At present, there are no definitive data available as to the exact mix of the many fish species in the North sea, both of commercial and non-commercial interest, in the diet of seals and any local variations and the consequent effect seals have on fish stocks. Both the Scottish Office and this Department have commissioned research on the diet and foraging behaviour of certain seal colonies.