Seal in the River Ouse near Lewes on 14th Feb 2011

[EastSussexWRAS]

Seals have been entering the Ouse for over 30 years at this time of year, so this is not a recent issue. Seals move long distances and Chichester is not far for a seal neither is Folkestone and Dover nor the French Coast where there are also Grey Seals, so we are well within range of several seal colonies. Seals eat much more than just sea trout, they don't target trout, if we didn't over fish there wouldn't be a problem.

[mickedeacon]

He's almost certainly feeding on Sea Trout Kelts, Fish that have spawned and are returning to sea, exhausted and weak from their spawning efforts. He needs to eat quite a lot of them every day. This will have a very detrimental effect on the future Sea trout stocks. As we Have no seal colony anywhere near here, would it not be best for all concerned if a responsible marine mammal body relocated him to a colony?

[ModelCitizen100]

I do hope this seal is not decimating the (declining) Ouse sea trout run. I wonder how likely this is? Are seals taking up residence on the tidal Ouse at Lewes a recent phenomenon? If not, why is it here now? Food.... or lack of? Anything else?