Campaigners call for the legal protection of seals in Scotland

WILDLIFE welfare campaigners visited Moray yesterday to highlight the plight of thousands of seals killed every year in Scottish waters.

Advocates for Animals supporters launched their campaign at the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society Wildlife Centre at Spey Bay, accompanied by a 6ft Sandy the Seal character.

The group handed out leaflets, postcards and stickers to the public, calling for the Scottish Government to grant full legal protection to seals in the forthcoming Marine Bill. Every year, seals are shot by workers in the fish farming and fishing industries to stop them eating their catches. The existing Conservation of Seals Act 1970 allows seals to be shot even when they are pregnant or with dependent pups, and animal campaigners believe the act is ineffective.

There is no legal requirement for fishermen to declare any killings, making it difficult to record the exact numbers of seals which die in Scotland, but experts have estimated it to be several thousands each year.

Advocates for Animals’ campaign officer Joanne Sim said a recent poll showed a huge level of support from the public, with 75% believing it should be illegal for seals in Scottish waters to be killed.

She said: “We are sure that the public in Moray will be horrified to find out that thousands of seals are needlessly being shot every year in Scotland and we hope that they will join our campaign calling for full legal protection for these beautiful animals.”

The group will take its campaign to Aberdeen today, before going to Dundee, Perth, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fort William and Oban, and finishing at St Andrews on Friday.