Look Out for Seals
Supporters like yourself sent thousands of messages to MSPs asking them to vote for better legal protection for seals as part of our LOOK OUT for SEALS campaign.
A consultation out now gives us a chance to help seals by identifying areas where seals should be protected (haul-out sites).
The consultation
The new consultation put out by the Scottish Government proposes a list of 146 designated seal haul-out sites. These sites are intended to provide protection for seals from harassment, and will also include 14 designated Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for seals.
To view a map of the currently proposed sites, please download the consultation. The consultation closes on Tuesday 21st June 2011 but we will request an extension so that up to date evidence can be gathered during the common seal breeding and moulting season.
The proposed sites cover 3% of the Scottish coast. The 146 sites include 101 common seal, 39 grey seal and 6 shared sites, and according to the Sea Mammal Research Unit are said to be home to at least 50% of each species. In Seal Conservation Areas - which are located in Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Moray Firth and Firth of Tay – the common seal population covered is between 50% - 70% in recognition of their greater vulnerability.
However, we question whether designating fewer sites for grey seals because they form larger groups, is in line with the intentions of the Marine Act.
Harassment is an animal welfare issue that does not depend on population numbers. The sites are being designated for the sole purpose of preventing harassment of seals in those locations, and the relevant section of the Act does not say anything about protection of populations.
As far as we can see there is no provision for selecting a smaller number of sites on a discretionary basis. It is simply a question of identifying them, so that the offence of harassment can be enforced.
How you can help
We are calling on supporters to respond to the consultation and provide information about sites that they believe should also be designated. A copy of the consultation, including a section for feedback, can be downloaded below.