There are two species of seals in British waters, the grey seal and the common or harbour seal. Common seals are found throughout much of the cold and temperate areas of the Northern Hemisphere, with the UK one of their traditional strongholds and holding some 40% of the European population.
And whilst grey seal numbers have increased significantly over the last two decades, the common seal has fared less well. To the point where it is estimated that the number of common seals around Scotland has declined from 2001 by 30% in the Strathclyde region, 42% in Shetland and a staggering 56% in Orkney.
The first major loss of common seals in recent times was as a result of the phocine distemper virus (PDV) epidemic in 1988 which killed nearly half the population in some areas.
Numbers had recovered completely by 2002 when another outbreak of PDV killed many thousands more and the population has struggled ever since. No one is certain why this decline has happened but the shooting of seals to protect stocks at fish farms may play a part.
Another factor may be the increasing number of grey seals which are now moving into common seal territory and are possibly out competing them for food resources. It also seems that grey seals are a more robust species with less disease susceptibility.
Even more worrying is the possibility that the whole ecosystem of the North Sea could be changing as a result of global warmimg, pollution, over fishing, or a combination of all three. There has been a serious decline in sand eels’ numbers over recent years along with several sea bird species that have had disastrous breeding seasons of late.
The next few years will tell whether this is a unidirectional problem or merely a trough in the natural cycle of population rises and falls. Not fully understanding the problem means it is very difficult to put in place satisfactory protection measures but common sense dictates that all measures to prevent unnecessary deaths should be employed.
The coast of Scotland is a wonderful place to see many marine mammals and I have a particular soft spot for the west of the country with its rocky inlets and mountains rising up from the shoreline. Sure if the rain doesn’t get you then the midges most certainly will from late May through to the end of September, but if you get a clear sunny day with a gentle breeze to keep the midges from flying then there is no finer place to be in the whole world.
The little west coast village of Plockton just north of Kyle of Lochalsh (the gateway to the Isle of Skye) is as good a place as any in the Highlands and a great place to see common seals. Take a seal trip from the Plockton slipway on Callum’s boat (if you don’t see any seals the trip is free), and you might also be lucky enough to glimpse otters, dolphins and even killer whales.
Visiting in June and July gives you the chance to spot common seal pups which are born on inter-tidal rocks and sand banks with a spotted adult coat and are off and swimming within hours of birth. Contrast this with grey seal pups (born September to December) which remain on land for three weeks or so before moulting their white juvenile coat and then taking to the water.
Once you’ve seen the seals and if the sun shines in Plockton you will be treated to a land of crystal clear water and shining houses with a palm tree lined sea front. If it rains then simply go to the Plockton Inn for a fine seafood meal and a quiet beer or two. Be sure to tell them that it was me that sent you!
