Stop the shooting of seals in Scotland

[squeek]

hi captain nodge.

thanks for this thread

can i suggest you change the title to hopefully get more attention,
if you could re title it to say something like URGENT 3 days to sign,

[squeek]

bumping as there is very little time on this petition.


Please sign and pass on to family and friends

[OneKind]

Hi everyone,

thank you all so much for your support, and sending off emails to MSPs- over 21,000 were sent in just over a week! Here is a link to the results of the Marine Bill from last Thursday:

OneKind - Advocates for Animals | Seals to be given better protection as Marine Bill passed by Scottish Parliament

[Picidae]

So now they can be officially culled under Licence and all that needs to be done is to submit the quota that's been culled if I read it correctly. Just like Cormorants.

the rest of the conditions, I agree afford some extra protection in the absence of anything at all to prevent seals being slaughtered/bludgeoned whatever along with the numbers already being killed legally, but I have the feeling it's just legitimised the killing of more seals and may even result in an increased number being killed as there will be a rush of fisherman applying for licence for Gvt sanctioned culling.

I feel for the fisherman on Orkney - it's a tough life and the Seals do a lot of damage to their nets but I'm sure 'culling' isn't the answer, however professionally it's done.

This is a piece of Legislation that will help the interests of fisherman more than it will help seals I reckon. If the Scottish Parliament really wanted to protect seals it would have improved sanctions under the law as it was (the Conservation of Seals Act which allowed the government to kill seals to protect fish stocks) and ban killing seals completely surely rather than provide the legislation for a programme of systematic culling (which is already being carried out in parts of Scotland by the Gvt)

[diggleken]

nevertheless, well done to all who signed/pestered and for raising on WAB.
In summary, from advocates for animals website:
'' Seals in Scottish waters will have more legal protection under the Marine (Scotland) Bill which was today passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Following an intensive campaign by Advocates for Animals, the Bill, which replaces the outdated Conservation of Seals Act 1970, was today strengthened and passed.

Seals can no longer be shot without a licence to do so
A requirement to use non-lethal methods of excluding or deterring seals before a seal licence is granted
Welfare conditions are to be placed on licences meaning that seals cannot be shot: by untrained marksmen; in bad visibility; from over a set distance away; from an unstable platform; and measures must be taken to reduce the risk of seals suffering unnecessarily when shot. The type of firearm which must be used is specified and there are conditions regarding the recovery of carcases.
The law specifies that the Government can prohibit the killing of seals at certain times such as the breeding seasons when seals may be heavily pregnant or have dependent pups
Seals are protected from intentional or reckless harassment at a haul-out site
The numbers of seals killed under a licence must be reported quarterly
The licensing regime will be formally reviewed every five years
The Bill increases the penalties for killing, injuring or taking a seal, in line with other wildlife legislation. ''
Cheers
Ken

[Jaeviatrix]

This is however only Scotland?

It also doesnt appear to actually make shooting seals illegal.

I'm deeply troubled by such "compromise" legislation. It just provides loopholes through which these barbaric practices are allowed to continue, while conning the public into thinking these animals are protected. That the killing of wild seals is permitted under any circumstances in modern Britain horrifies me.

Jay