§ Lord Mackay of Ardbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the annual consumption of fish by weight required by one seal. [HL4229]
§ Baroness HaymanIt has been estimated that grey seals consume approximately 2 tonnes of fish per year each, compared to 1.5 tonnes for common seals. Their predominant prey species appear to be sandeels, cod and whiting. However, a significant proportion of the fish taken are likely to be juveniles which, given their high rates of natural mortality, may not in any case reach a size at which they would be available to either commercial fishermen or anglers.