LOOK OUT for SEALS - frequently asked questions

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. Until the recent passing of the Marine (Scotland) Bill, there has been 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.

Under this new Bill, welfare conditions are to be placed on licences meaning that seals cannot be shot: by untrained marksmen; in bad visibility; from over a set distance away; from an unstable platform; and measures must be taken to reduce the risk of seals suffering unnecessarily when shot. The type of firearm which must be used is specified and there are conditions regarding the recovery of carcases.

Does the law protect seals from killing?

The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 allowed the shooting of seals. The Marine (Scotland) Bill will however replace the outdated Conservation of Seals Act 1970. This Bill was strengthened and passed on February 4 2010 by the Scottish Parliament:

• Seals can no longer be shot without a licence to do so

• A requirement to use non-lethal methods of excluding or deterring seals before a seal licence is granted

• Welfare conditions are to be placed on licences meaning that seals cannot be shot: by untrained marksmen; in bad visibility; from over a set distance away; from an unstable platform; and measures must be taken to reduce the risk of seals suffering unnecessarily when shot. The type of firearm which must be used is specified and there are conditions regarding the recovery of carcases.

• The law specifies that the Government can prohibit the killing of seals at certain times such as the breeding seasons when seals may be heavily pregnant or have dependent pups

• Seals are protected from intentional or reckless harassment at a haul-out site

• The numbers of seals killed under a licence must be reported quarterly

• The licensing regime will be formally reviewed every five years

• The Bill increases the penalties for killing, injuring or taking a seal, in line with other wildlife legislation.

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.

How many seals are being killed?

Incredibly, no-one knows - because until the recent passing of the Marine (Scotland) Bill, there has been 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. Under this new Bill, the numbers of seals killed under a licence must be reported quarterly.

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.