A controversial seal cull was abandoned last night after eco-activists clashed with marksmen at a north-east harbour.
The Scottish Wild Salmon Company said it would halt its shooting programme in the face of mounting protest from conservation group Sea Shepherd, which was joined yesterday by members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
The development followed a second quayside stand-off, during which protesters in face masks and combat gear confronted marksmen.
But despite assurances from the company, protesters were refusing to leave the area last night.
They fear the announcement that the shootings are to be cancelled is a ruse so they will leave and the cull can continue.
The Press and Journal revealed yesterday that members of Sea Shepherd had arrived at Gardenstown to disrupt a planned programme of seal shootings.
Licensed marksmen have been employed to patrol the coastline and fire at any seals that could threaten the firm’s nets.
Sea Shepherd – fresh from a campaign against whalers in Japan – said its team was prepared to form a human shield to protect the seals.
Last night, the Montrose-based fishing company – also known as Usan Salmon Fisheries – stressed that its workers had complied fully with the terms of its licence and firearms legislation.
Director George Pullar said: “Our staff are being constantly stalked and harassed by group members.
“Today, on arrival at the pier, our law-abiding staff were faced by a large group of activists wearing face masks, knuckledusters and combat gear. Clearly, the intent was to intimidate. Surely such extremism has no place in modern Scotland. The police have been advised.”
He said the company had already taken several alternative steps to deter seals.
Police were called to the harbour after a stand-off on Monday morning that prompted Sea Shepherd to call in reinforcements, including members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association.
Officers warned a teenage marksman for alleged threatening behaviour, but no one has been charged.
Writing on a social networking site last night, a spokeswoman for Sea Shepherd said the group had reason to believe the salmon producers had no intention of calling off the cull.
“Sea Shepherd fully intends to remain in the area, protecting the seals, until the Scottish Wild Salmon Company confirms that they have relinquished all their licences to kill seals in Scotland.”