Written Question · S4W-27001 · Session 4
What scientific process it uses to calculate the feed sources of a growing seal population around the coasts.
The question
To ask the Scottish Government what scientific process it uses to calculate the feed sources of a growing seal population around the coasts.
The answer
The Scottish Government commissions expert scientists to investigate seal diet and they develop an appropriate methodology for estimating the diet of both individual seals and wider seal populations.
The examination of fish ear bones or otoliths found in seal faeces provides information on both the species and the size of fish being eaten by individual seals. If sufficient such individual samples are collected, it is possible to estimate the diet of the wider population of seals.
This process was used to estimate the diet of grey seals in the published study MF-0319 Grey seal diet and fish consumption in the North Sea, which can be found through the following link:-
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=ProjectList&Completed=0&ContractorID=716
A new study of seal diet commissioned by the Scottish Government using a similar methodology is due to be published later in 2015.
The examination of fish ear bones or otoliths found in seal faeces provides information on both the species and the size of fish being eaten by individual seals. If sufficient such individual samples are collected, it is possible to estimate the diet of the wider population of seals.
This process was used to estimate the diet of grey seals in the published study MF-0319 Grey seal diet and fish consumption in the North Sea, which can be found through the following link:-
http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Default.aspx?Menu=Menu&Module=ProjectList&Completed=0&ContractorID=716
A new study of seal diet commissioned by the Scottish Government using a similar methodology is due to be published later in 2015.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S4W-27001 by reference.