There
is much debate on the impacts of seal predation on coastal migrating salmonids
in the northeast Atlantic (Carter
et
al.,
2001; Brennan & Rodwell, 2008).
This
is
the first study in Ireland to quantify the contribution of salmonids to the
diet of grey
seals (Halichoerus
grypus L.).
The
relative
contribution of prey species by percentage number, frequency of
occurrence and
percentage biomass to the
diet was investigated.
Inter-annual
and
monthly variation in diet composition was also examined.