assessment. This approach has been agreed in consultation with Natural England (Table 12.1).
12.5.2.1.5Summary of the importance of the site for grey seal
127. Given the site specific and contextual data described above it is concluded that the East Anglia THREE site and offshore cable corridor are of limited importance for grey seal.
12.5.2.1.6 Reference population for assessment
128. Based on the evidence from telemetry studies (Appendix 12.3 and Appendix 12.4), the reference population extent will incorporate the Southeast England, Northeast England and East Coast IAMMWG MUs and, given the movement of seals between UK and Dutch colonies, the Waddenzee population.
129. The most recent estimate of the Dutch Waddenzee population is 2,785 seals (TSEG 2013). The Southeast England MU has an estimated population size of 10,350 based on a 3,107 pup count (IAMMWG 2013). The Northeast England MU has an estimated population size of 7,800 based on a 2,349 pup count. The East Coast MU has an estimated population size of 6,800, based on a 2,045 pup count.
130. This total reference population is therefore 27,735 grey seal. This has been agreed with Natural England in consultation (Table 12.1).
12.5.2.2 Harbour seal 12.5.2.2.1Population size
131. Harbour seal have a circumpolar distribution and are widespread throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The harbour seal is the smaller of the two UK seal species occurring along all coasts of the UK. Approximately 30% of European harbour seals are found in the UK; this proportion has declined from approximately 40% in 2002 (SCOS 2012).
132. In the UK, pupping occurs in the summer (June and July) and peak moulting occurs in August. Densities of harbour seal at sea are therefore likely to be lower during this period than at other times of the year (DECC 2011).
133. In the UK harbour seal are surveyed during their annual moult on a three to five year cycle by SMRU. Using the most recent survey data (2007-2011) the UK minimum population size is estimated at 26,260 individuals, and 15% of these individuals were surveyed at English haul outs (SCOS 2012).
Preliminary Environmental Information May 2014
East Anglia THREE Offshore Windfarm
Chapter 12 Marine Mammal Ecology Page 46
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