Call for a ban on Scotland's seal slaughter as population falls

ANIMAL welfare groups have called for the Scottish Government to use new marine laws to put a stop to the killing of seals.

Some environment organisations estimate that thousands of seals are killed each year by the fishing industry in an attempt to protect stocks of fish.

Campaigners want the law – which at present allows seals to be shot at any time of year except the breeding season – to be changed.

Scotland's 24,000 common seals make up almost half the European population, but have declined in some areas by 40 per cent since 2001.

The reason for their decline remains unclear, but campaign group Advocates for Animals believes shooting of the animals must stop.

Libby Anderson, the group's political director, says seals should have the same protection as dolphins, porpoises and otters, which must not be killed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

"It's ridiculous that we have this internationally important species of marine animals and yet they are allowed to be killed," she said.

"We are guardians of these populations and we really should be protecting them."

Even if a fisherman shoots a seal during the breeding season, a legal defence known as "the netsmen's defence" can be used if the case comes to court.

"It's basically making a mockery of the legislation," said Ms Anderson.

During the breeding season, seals can still be shot if a licence is granted by the Scottish Government – they are regularly granted to fisheries boards.

Calum Duncan, the Scottish conservation officer with the Marine Conservation Society, agrees the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is out of date.

However, he says there are rare circumstances when seals have to be shot to protect fish farms, when all non-lethal efforts have been unsuccessful. In these circumstances he wants a licensed marksman to be used, and all killings to be recorded.

Bertie Armstrong, the chief executive of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation, called for a sense of balance and for "knee-jerk legislation" to be avoided.

He thinks the rules should remain as they are. "As far as I am aware the population of seals are not radically affected by killing by fish farmers and certainly there is no widespread shooting of seals by commercial fishermen," he said.

He added that in some circumstances it was necessary to kill seals to protect stocks.

He acknowledged that baby seals are "terribly attractive", but added: "Everybody likes Bambi, but killing of deer on the hill is perfectly acceptable."

Brian Davidson, the director of the Association of Salmon Fisheries Boards, wants the Scottish Marine Bill to "maintain provision for some form of mechanism for seal control".

He said "regretfully" it was sometimes necessary to kill seals, but added: "Our member boards do it in a very responsible way, and only when there's a direct risk to fish stocks."

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said there must be a balance between seal conservation and sustainable fisheries.

He added: "We do recognise that there are problems with the current legislation."

The Scottish Marine Bill will come to parliament next year.

FACT BOX

UNDER the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, seals must only be killed using a rifle. They must not be killed by other means, such as with drowning traps or poison.

During the breeding season, seals can only be shot under a special licence from the Scottish Government.

For common seals, the closed season is from 1 June to 31 August. For grey seals it is from 1 September to 31 December.