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Seals in Shetland waters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

Sheila S. Anderson
Sheila S. Anderson
Affiliation:
Natural Environment Research Council, Sea Mammal Research Unit, c/o British Antarctic Survey, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET
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Synopsis

The distribution and status of grey and common seals around Shetland is reviewed. Recent surveys have produced an accurate picture of the location of breeding sites, grey seals being found at discrete localities mainly in the north and west of the islands and common seals being distributed more widely throughout the archipelago. The population of grey seals is estimated at 3,500 animals and is considered to be relatively constant. The reliability of boat surveys for estimating common seal populations is discussed. It is concluded that the population of Shetland has increased in numbers following protective legislation and it is suggested that there has also been a change in hauling out behaviour. The current population consists of at least 4000 individuals.

Grey seals do not appear to have been affected by oil developments at Sullom Voe so far, but common seal numbers in the Sullom Voe area have not increased at the same rate as elsewhere in Shetland, and the number of pups present has declined. It is suggested that these changes may have arisen as a result of the development of the oil terminal. Study methods which would enable the nature and causes of these changes to be identified are proposed.

Type
Research Article
Information
Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Section B: Biological Sciences , Volume 80: The marine environment of Sullom Voe and the implication of oil developments , 1981 , pp. 181 - 188
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1981

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