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The Grey seal ‘problem’ in the Outer Hebrides

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

C. F. Summers  and
J. Harwood
C. F. Summers
Affiliation:
Sea Mammal Research Unit (formerly Seals Research Division) Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge
J. Harwood
Affiliation:
Sea Mammal Research Unit (formerly Seals Research Division) Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge
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Synopsis

The growth of the Hebridean Grey seal population is described and its probable causes are discussed. The status of the Hebridean assemblies, in relation to those at North Rona and Orkney is reassessed on the basis of recent evidence supporting the hypothesis that there is considerable mixing of breeding individuals throughout Scotland. Consideration of the consequences of the population growth with regard to fisheries, conservation and commercial sealing prompted an investigation of the efficacy of different management strategies which might be used to adjust the population to a level at which it can be maintained.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 77: The Natural Environment of the Outer Hebrides , 1979 , pp. 495 - 503
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1979

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