Seals to be given better protection as Marine Bill passed by Scottish Parliament
Thursday, 04 February 2010 16:54
Seals in Scottish waters will have more legal protection under the Marine (Scotland) Bill which was today passed by the Scottish Parliament.
Following an intensive campaign by Advocates for Animals, the Bill, which replaces the outdated Conservation of Seals Act 1970, was today strengthened and passed.
- 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.
Advocates for Animals ideally wanted a complete ban on killing any seals, especially during their breeding seasons – such a move would have been supported by 75% of people in Scotland. Advocates for Animals’ supporters sent over 21,000 messages to MSPs in the last 10 days asking them to vote for better legal protection for seals.
Queen rock legend Brian May and TV naturalists Chris Packham and Terry Nutkins are among the high-profile people who have supported Advocates for Animals’ campaign.
See the Scottish Government's summary of the new seal licensing legislation here.
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“I find it deplorable that current legislation allows the shooting of seals during the breeding season. A bullet may kill an adult seal outright but for any still dependent pup their ultimate death is preceded by starvation and untold misery.”
Gordon Buchanan
Wildlife film-maker
“Our seals have a tough enough time as it is...pollution, disease, disturbance – all the unfortunate hazards of the modern environment, without being shot during their breeding season. These wonderful animals must not be victims of our own mismanagement of the seas.”
Chris Packham
Conservationist, Writer,
Television Presenter
"I fully support the protection of seals, not only during the breeding season, but all year round - wonderful to see the LOOK OUT for SEALS campaign go ahead."
