Marine scientists and conservationists have called for calm over controversial proposals for a protected zone for seals on the north-east coast.
Marine Scotland has launched a public consultation into plans to safeguard a huge colony at Newburgh by establishing a protected haul-out zone on the Ythan Estuary.
The proposal has been met with criticism by locals however, some of whom fear it will affect walkers and tourists to the area.
But research scientist at the Sea Mammal Research Unit of St Andrew’s University, Callan Duck, yesterday said designated haul-out sites in no way affect the way the public enjoy the outdoors.
Haul-out sites are areas where seals come out of the water to rest, moult, breed or have pups.
If Newburgh is designated a haul-out site by Marine Scotland, it would be an offence to harass or kill a seal within the area under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.
Mr Duck said: “Part of the issue, I think, was the overall boundary of the area to be designated stretches on the southern shore of the estuary, but it doesn’t mean people won’t be able to walk around that coast at all.
“That is not what the legislation is designed to do – it is not to restrict people doing what they normally do, it is not designed to stop them walking near the animals.”
North-east wildlife campaigner, Victor Beattie, added: “In past years there has been reports of youths throwing bottles and rocks at seals, and there has also been a drone used to scare them into the water.
“Folk riding horses along the beach and walking dogs are not going to be affected. In actual fact huge parts of the area are already covered by the protection orders for various birds.
“No matter what size or shape the haul out is it is, as long as you are not harassing seals it is not relevant.”
Ron Coutts, secretary of the Newburgh Angling Club, is calling for a smaller haul-out zone to be considered.
He argued his main concern was the proposed site encompasses both the north and south banks of the estuary and an area of the Newburgh On Ythan Golf Club.
He said: “Nobody ever said it would be a fenced off zone, but the issue is why they would allocate an area of that size when the seals are only really out on 300m (984ft) near the north mouth. The whole proposal is preposterous really.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “The consultation is intended to explore concerns that some visitors coming to this site are approaching the seals too closely and collect evidence to inform future action.”