An estimated 5,000 seals are shot by Scottish salmon interests in the UK each year, persecuted for the crime of eating fish!

Under the Conservation of Seals Act (1970) it is perfectly legal for fishing interests, notably salmon netsmen and fish farmers to shoot seals in order to prevent damage to their equipment or catch/stock. This outdated legislation needs to be urgently changed.

Recently scientists from the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews University revealed what they described as a ‘frightening’ decline in the number of common (harbour) seals around the UK coast. Whilst the exact reason behind the decline is unknown, campaigners believe that the indiscriminate shooting of seals by the salmon industry has played its part and must be stopped.

The organisation helping to lead a campaign against the shooting of seals in the UK is the Seal Protection Action Group in conjunction with nearly 30 other animal welfare and conservation organizations including International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA), Advocate for Animals, PETA Europe, Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), Animal Aid, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), Animal Concern, International Animal Rescue (IAR), Save our Seals Fund, Seawatch Foundation and Care for the Wild amongst many others.

Recently the coalition protested outside the Scottish Parliament demanding a ceasefire for seals and they will shortly be taking the campaign to 10 Downing Street where they will be handing to Prime Minister Gordon Brown asking for an immediate ban on the shooting of seals.

Talking about the campaign Andy Ottaway of the Seal Protection Action Group said “Scientific evidence now supports our view that this culture of killing seals must stop. We are calling for a ceasefire for seals with immediate effect and the comprehensive protection of our disappearing seal populations from deliberate killing before it is too late.”

The coalition has also written to all High Street retailers calling on them to insist that their suppliers of Scottish salmon stop seal shooting, and to stipulate this in their supply contracts. Salmon may feature on some peoples menu this Christmas and New Year however the Seal Protection Action Group are “calling on the public to avoid Scottish salmon unless they can be assured that no seals have been killed. Our seals are disappearing and we must act now before it is too late.”

If you would like to get involved in the campaign to protect seals in the UK please go to  http://www.sealaction.org/campaigns/scotland for further details.