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Key facts

  • Some fishermen and fish farmers shoot seals because they eat fish. A seal swimming close to a fish farm, in a salmon river or near coastal nets is seen as a competitor for fish.
  • There is no legal requirement for good marksmanship when shooting a seal, so there is a high risk of wounding which can lead to prolonged suffering.
  • In almost forty years, there has only been one successful prosecution under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970.
  • Populations of common seals have declined dramatically - by around 40 per cent - in some parts of Scotland over the last 5 years.
  • Incredibly, no-one knows how many seals are being killed - because there is no requirement for seal killings to be recorded.
  • We need a new law that will change the present seal-killing culture to one which is more humane.

A Better Outlook for Seals?

Thursday, 30 April 2009 13:33

SealAdvocates for Animals continues to call for better protection for seals in Scotland as the Scottish Government announces its intention to repeal the ineffective Conservation of Seals Act 1970.

 

Advocates for Animals welcomes the provision in the draft Marine (Scotland) Bill for a ban on the shooting of seals in Scotland.  The Bill, introduced to the Scottish Parliament yesterday, makes it an offence for anyone to kill, injure or take a live seal, except for humane purposes or under licence.  However, Advocates for Animals warns that licences must only be granted in exceptional circumstances and must contain animal welfare provisions, which are not shown in the Bill as drafted.

Advocates for Animals’ Political Director, Libby Anderson, said: “This is a potential success for seals and animal lovers across Scotland.  Whereas the Conservation of Seals Act did nothing of the sort, the measures outlined in the new Marine Bill represent a positive step towards protecting our seals.

“We need to see much more protection for seals, and much more attention to welfare, in the proposed licences, but we look forward to working with the Scottish Government to develop and fine tune the legislation.”

Advocates for Animals wants to say a huge “thank you” to the thousands of supporters who have participated in the LOOK OUT for SEALS campaign so far.  Almost 4,000 people sent LOOK OUT for SEALS postcards and messages to the Scottish Government’s public consultation on the Marine (Scotland) Bill.  The efforts of our supporters to secure better legal protection for seals are to be celebrated today.  Together we will continue to press for full protection for these beautiful creatures.   

 
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