§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what evidence his Department has procured on the possible correlation between seal populations and the decline in fish stocks. [142123]
§ Mr. MorleyPrevious research funded by this Department and undertaken by the Sea Mammal Research Unit indicates that the bulk of seals' diet consists of juvenile fish. Given the high rates of natural mortality for these species, there is no evidence to indicate that seals are having a significant impact on particular stocks or the catches available to commercial fishermen.
However, in view of renewed concerns, I have asked the SMRU to update this research. They are currently undertaking a project ending in September 2003, which focuses on grey seal diet in the North Sea. In addition, the Department is supporting a project to develop a computer model that will predict the impact of grey seals on fish stocks in the future. This work has just entered its final phase: results are expected in October 2002.