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MSPs seeking protection for seals 'No proof' for shot seals claims
(1 day later)
MSPs are trying to secure greater protection in law for seals. There is no evidence pregnant seals are being shot in large numbers, according to the Scottish government.
Amendments to the Marine (Scotland) Bill, due to be debated in the Scottish Parliament, include a number seeking restrictions on shooting seals. Green MSP Robin Harper had tabled an amendment to the new Marine (Scotland) Bill seeking a ban on shooting the mammals during the breeding season.
The animals can be killed on licence if deemed to be a threat to a fish farm by eating the stock, or damaging nets.
Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said he had a duty to protect businesses and seals.
Mr Harper withdrew the amendment at the rural affairs and environment committee stage of the bill's passage through parliament.
However, he will reintroduce the amendment at stage three, when it will be discussed in a main chamber debate.
In the meantime, Mr Harper has pledged to work with the other parties in the parliament to strengthen and promote the amendment.
Current rules allow the mammals to be shot by licensed individuals to stop damage to fish farm cages.Current rules allow the mammals to be shot by licensed individuals to stop damage to fish farm cages.
The Greens' call for killings only to happen outside the breeding season has been backed by naturalist Terry Nutkins and Queen guitarist Brian May. We don't need them culled, although we would like to see seal management John HermseMallaig and North-West Fishermen's Association
Labour's Elaine Murray has also tabled an amendment asking that non-lethal alternatives to protecting fish farms from seals be exhausted before a licence is granted to shoot the animals. The Greens' call for killings only to happen outside the breeding season had been backed by naturalist Terry Nutkins and Queen guitarist Brian May.
It is wrong to kill nursing mammals, leaving the pups to try to survive alone when they are vulnerable and defenceless Robin HarperGreen MSP Advocates for Animals' policy director, Libby Anderson, said: "Obviously we are disappointed that the decision to ban shooting seals in their breeding seasons was not taken today.
Green MSP Robin Harper said the new bill could potentially be one of the parliament's "finest hours", but would need to include rigorous protection for wildlife. "However, we are pleased that the committee recognised the real welfare concerns this poses and we will continue to work with all MSPs to maintain the close season for seals."
Earlier, Mr Harper said the new bill could potentially be one of the parliament's "finest hours", but would need to include rigorous protection for wildlife.
He said: "It can no longer be acceptable to shoot seals that are nurturing their young.He said: "It can no longer be acceptable to shoot seals that are nurturing their young.
"It is wrong to kill nursing mammals, leaving the pups to try to survive alone when they are vulnerable and defenceless.""It is wrong to kill nursing mammals, leaving the pups to try to survive alone when they are vulnerable and defenceless."
'Alarming drop'
John Hermse, of Mallaig and North-West Fishermen's Association, said seals could "devastate" some fish catches but added that his organisation was not seeking a cull.
He said: "We don't need them culled, although we would like to see seal management.
"What we would like is management through contraceptive darts which are freely available nowadays and a modern way of managing seal numbers."
Last year, Mr Harper claimed an emergency ban on the shooting of common seals was needed to halt an "alarming" drop in their population.Last year, Mr Harper claimed an emergency ban on the shooting of common seals was needed to halt an "alarming" drop in their population.
Litter strategy
At the time he said studies had revealed between 3,000 and 5,000 of the seals were shot each year.At the time he said studies had revealed between 3,000 and 5,000 of the seals were shot each year.
He called for the Scottish government to ban the practice and bolster seal protection in its new bill.He called for the Scottish government to ban the practice and bolster seal protection in its new bill.
The government said it believed fewer than 1,000 seals were shot annually.The government said it believed fewer than 1,000 seals were shot annually.
Meanwhile, the Greens have also asked for a marine litter strategy be drawn up in an effort to tackle the amount of rubbish ending up in the sea, on the seabed and along coastlines. Meanwhile, the Greens also asked for a marine litter strategy to be drawn up in an effort to tackle the amount of rubbish ending up in the sea, on the seabed and along coastlines.
The party said the waste was a risk to the environment and navigational safety.The party said the waste was a risk to the environment and navigational safety.