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Motion · S4M-14812 · 11 Nov 2015

Harbour Seal Populations on the East Coast of Scotland

Lodged by Roderick Campbell Standard Motion 20 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament is concerned at the reported continued decline in harbour seal populations on the east coast of Scotland; understands that recent findings by Scottish Natural Heritage, along with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU) at the University of St Andrews, indicate a 90% fall in population levels in the Firth of Tay, resulting in only 29 seals counted in this area in 2014, compared with 88 counted in 2012 and 773 in 1992; understands that Scotland is home to 36% of Europe’s population of harbour seals and that population numbers on the west coast are at an all-time high; commends the ongoing work of the SMRU and SNH in trying to identify the reasons behind the population decline, and hopes that this work can ultimately lead to an increase in harbour seal populations on the east coast of Scotland, particularly off the shores of North East Fife and the River Tay.

Supporters (20)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.