Do Rogue Seals Exist?

Implications for Seal Conservation in the UK

INTRODUCTION
There has always been conflict between predators for food. This stems back for
many years, but a recent conflict between seals and humans over fish has risen to become
an issue. The issue began because of a notable decrease in the number of fish in the rivers
of Scotland and the United States.
Researchers were invited to find out if seals really were to blame for the decrease
in the fish population. Strict fishing restrictions help to keep level fish populations while
allowing humans and other animals to consume them. Several tests were performed to
discover what local seals were consuming; their challenge was to do it humanely. This
information was important to local fisherman since fishing is their way of life and how
they make a living. The researchers predicted the seals were swimming up rivers looking
for fish to feed on. Another thought was that salmon were being consumed before they
could even lay their eggs upstream.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The scientists gathered data in a couple different ways. First, they photographed
the local seals in the river. All seals have different characteristics making it fairly easy to
identify them individually. Scientists tried to photograph the seals on both the left and
right sides to have better recognition individually. This would help them identify how
many seals and which seals were staying in the river systems to find food. With this
information, they could determine if seals from further distances were coming to the river
for food or if there were only local seals.

Second, they collected DNA samples from the seals. Many times, DNA was found
from fecal samples, but if a dead seal was found, scientists could test the intestinal lining
of the dead seal. With this data, it could be determined what the seals were eating and
how much they were eating.
RESULTS
At the conclusion of the experiments, it was found that seals were mostly
traveling to the rivers during a particular time of the year. During the winter months, the
seals would occupy the rivers. In addition, harbor seals were very abundant during July
and August. Although the harbor seals were abundant, it was proven that each seal would
only take one trip up the river annually. The gray seal population was eating more salmon
and returning more often.
The photo identification concluded that the same individuals were seen coming to
the river. The DNA results showed a difference in feeding areas for the seals. According
to the research author, "a higher percentage of samples collected in rivers tested positive
for both salmon and trout DNA than those collected at coastal sites" (M. Graham, 2011,
p. 591).
With the information gathered, it was determined that seals were consuming a
higher percentage of fish during certain seasons of the year. Winter months had the
highest percentage of seal appearances in the rivers than at any other time. Researchers
were correct in thinking seals were eating most of the fish in the river.
The results showed a significant difference in the amount of fish consumed in
rivers than in coastal areas. There were nine seals used for digestive track samples with
each yielding similar results. For example, six percent more salmon and 38 percent more

trout were found in seals that lived in rivers than on the coast (M. Graham, 2011, p. 591).
After the results were found, the same experiment was done in three different rivers, all
yielding similar results.
DISCUSSION
Enough data was formed to conclude that seals consume a high amount of fish to
threaten local fisherman, but some factors were not taken into account. Many of these
fish are also being consumed by birds, bears, and other predators. This could effect the
way fisherman restrict seals from feeding in the rivers.
Another variable that should've been tested is the availability of other food
sources on the coast and in open water. Lack of food, and maybe even nearby predators,
may be forcing seals into the rivers to find food. The appearances of juvenile compared to
adult seals also needs to be tested to better understand the hunting patterns.
Although these results were helpful in determining where the fish were going, it
now raises concerns of how to prevent the seals from entering the river, but still allowing
the fish to lay their eggs. A new research project is being implemented to decide if lethal
ways of stopping seals should be used. The results from the previous test imply that seals
were mostly feeding on migratory salmon. Due to this conclusion, scientists want to
impede the path for seals to travel up the river during the most active months.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Graham, I. M., Harris, R. N., Matejusova, I., Middlemas, S. J., (2011), Do rogue seals
exist? Implications for seal conservation in the UK, Animal Conservation, 587-598.