What seals are in Scottish waters?

There are two native species – the larger and more numerous grey seal (Halichoerus grypus), and its smaller resident cousin, the common seal (Phoca vitulina), also known as the harbour seal. Neither species is common world-wide, so these populations and their breeding sites are of global importance. Both species produce only one pup a year.

Grey seals are found around the coast but particularly in the Hebrides and in Orkney. They often haul out on land, especially on outlying islands and remote coastlines exposed to the open sea.

Adult male grey seals may weigh up to 350 kg and grow to over 2.3 m in length. Females are smaller, reaching a maximum of 250 kg in weight and 2 m in length. Male grey seals may live for over 20 years and begin to breed from about age 10. Females often live for over 30 years and begin to breed at about age 5.

Common seals come ashore in sheltered waters, typically on sandbanks and in estuaries, but also in rocky areas. They give birth to their pups in June and July and moult in August. At these, as well as other times of the year, common seals haul out on land regularly in a pattern that is often related to the tidal cycle. Adult common seals typically weigh 80-100 kg, with males being slightly larger than females. Like grey seals, common seals are long-lived with individuals living up to 20-30 years.

Why are seals being shot in Scotland?

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.

Do the seals suffer?

Yes. 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. Shot seals may sink at sea and never be found. And as long as fishermen are allowed to kill seals when they have dependent young, there will be orphaned pups dying of starvation.

Does the law protect seals from killing?

No. The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 allows the shooting of seals. Fishermen can shoot seals all year round.

The law does set close seasons when the seals are breeding (1 September to 31 December for grey seals and 1 June to 31 August for common seals), but fishermen are allowed to breach the close season if they claim a seal was in “the vicinity” of their fishing nets or equipment. There is no definition of “vicinity”. Licences are also granted under the Act to kill seals for the prevention of damage to fisheries. The approach of the Act is therefore at odds with other UK laws protecting other mammals such as badgers, otters, dolphins and porpoises.

Is the law observed?

No. It is widely agreed that the existing legislation is ineffective and unenforceable. In almost forty years, there has only been one successful prosecution under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, relating to the use of a shotgun, rather than a rifle, to kill three seals.

A typical case occurred during the close season in 2006 at the Point of Vastray, Orkney, when four grey adult seals, all female and pregnant, and one juvenile, were found dead with gunshot injuries to their heads. The surrounding area was left covered in blood but, although police investigated the incident, no-one was charged. Two years before, a total of 12 seals – ten of them pregnant females – were found shot on South Ronaldsay. There have been many more such incidents all around Scotland’s coast.

Also in 2006, a prosecution in Arbroath Sheriff Court failed when the accused claimed that official guidance allowed the shooting of a seal within half a mile of his fishing nets.

Are seal numbers threatened?

Yes. Populations of common seals have declined dramatically – by around 40 per cent - in some parts of Scotland over the last 5 years.

Scotland is the guardian of internationally-important populations of both grey and common (or harbour) seals – around 90 per cent of the UK’s population of grey seals are found in Scottish waters, and around 85 per cent of common seals. This equates to around 74% of the European grey seal population (and 45% of the world population) and 33% of the European common seal population.

Both grey and common seals are considered to be conservation priority species in the UK and Europe – but in Scotland, no records are kept of the numbers of seals killed each year.

How many seals are being killed?

Incredibly, no-one knows - because there is no requirement for seal killings to be recorded. However, it is estimated that thousands of seals are shot by fishermen and fish farm employees or contractors around Scotland’s coastline every year.

Do seals impact on fish stocks?

Although seals do – of course – eat fish, much of their diet does not consist of fish species which commercial fishermen target.Marine research studies have estimated that the fishing industry removes 25 times as much fish as seals, while predation by other fish amounts to more than 30 times that of seals. Seabirds and porpoises together take more fish than seals. There is no evidence that falling fish stocks in the North Sea are due to increases in seal populations.

What about the fishermen and fish farmers?

In salmon rivers, non-lethal acoustic deterrent devices are being trialled, while fish farmers can – and should – protect their stock with tensioned anti-predator nets, which are known to be effective. Ideally, fish farms and coastal nets should be positioned as far away from seal haul-outs as possible, to eliminate conflicts.

What about seal-watching?

Seals are popular with many natives and visitors to Scotland and seal-watching is a growing tourist industry. Activities such as seal-watching are sustainable and offer positive economic benefits to coastal communities – in UK terms this amounts to approximately £40 million every year.

Can the killing be stopped?

Yes. The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on a new Marine Bill for Scotland, and this will include reform of the Conservation of Seals Act. The consultation runs until 6 October 2008.The basic principle of the reformed law must be that any killing of seals is prohibited. Such a move would be supported by the vast majority of people in Scotland. We need a new law that will change the present seal-killing culture to one which is more humane and environmentally friendly. According to an opinion poll in 2008, 75 per cent of the public in Scotland want an end to the killing of seals: it’s time for everyone to tell the Government to protect these beautiful animals.