Scientists link killer whales and competition for food to decline in common seals

A new report from seal experts has noted that killer whales and competition for food from the more stable grey seal population could be partly responsible for the decline of Scotland's common seal numbers.

The Special Committee on Seals report from the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews University shows that:

• Scotland has more grey seals than previously estimated but that common seals are still in decline

• It is now estimated that there are around 164,000 grey seals in Scotland, more than previous reports suggested and 90 per cent of the estimated UK mean population

• There are a minimum of 20,000 common seals in Scotland. The localised decline in the Northern Isles and Firth of Tay is continuing and has spread to Strathclyde

• The main causes of these local reductions are unclear at present but predation by killer whales in the Northern Isles and competition for food supplies with grey seals could be significant factors

To view the Scottish Government news release in full, click here.

To view the Special Committee on Seals (SCOS) Report for 2008, click here.

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