Call For A Ban On Scotland's Seal Slaughter As Population Falls
By Matt J. Weiss, November 2, 2008 @ 01:00 AM (EST)
Source: Scotsman.com
ANIMAL welfare groups have called for the Scottish Government to use new marine laws to put a stop to the killing of seals.
Some
environment organisations estimate that thousands of seals are killed
each year by the fishing industry in an attempt to protect stocks of
fish.
Campaigners want the law – which at present allows seals to be shot at any time of year except the breeding season – to be changed.
Scotland's 24,000 common seals make up almost half the European population, but have declined in some areas by 40 per cent since 2001.
The reason for their decline remains unclear, but campaign group Advocates for Animals believes shooting of the animals must stop.
Libby Anderson, the group's political director, says seals should have the same protection as dolphins, porpoises and otters, which must not be killed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
"It's ridiculous that we have this internationally important species of marine animals and yet they are allowed to be killed," she said.
Campaigners want the law – which at present allows seals to be shot at any time of year except the breeding season – to be changed.
Scotland's 24,000 common seals make up almost half the European population, but have declined in some areas by 40 per cent since 2001.
The reason for their decline remains unclear, but campaign group Advocates for Animals believes shooting of the animals must stop.
Libby Anderson, the group's political director, says seals should have the same protection as dolphins, porpoises and otters, which must not be killed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
"It's ridiculous that we have this internationally important species of marine animals and yet they are allowed to be killed," she said.
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