Ocean Sentry
(From wildlifeextra.com)- Many people are unaware that thousands of seals are needlessly shot in Scotland by the fish farming and fishing industries every year. The existing Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is widely agreed to be ineffective and unenforceable, allowing seals to be shot even when they are pregnant or with dependent pups. Scotland is home to globally important populations of both grey and common seals and the guardian of most UK seals, with about 90% of the total UK population living in Scottish waters. Over the last five years, however, populations of common seals in some areas have declined by more than 40%. The Scottish Government is currently consulting the public on what should be included in a new Marine Bill. Advocates for Animals is calling on people to respond to this consultation and ask for seals to be protected.
The animal protection organisation’s campaign has strong public support: a recent opinion poll showed that 75% of people in Scotland believe that it should be made illegal for anyone to kill seals in Scottish waters.
People can support Advocates for Animals’ call for full legal protection for seals at www.lookoutforseals.org
