New data shows drop in Scotland's harbor seal numbers and sparks concern for gray seal population

New research from the University of St Andrews has shown that there is a marked drop in the status of Scotland's harbor seal population, as well as in summer gray seal abundance, according to surveys conducted by the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). The report, commissioned by NatureScot and released today, marks the completion of the sixth Scottish census of seal abundance based on August haulout counts (2021–2025), resulting in a 30-year time series.