The Seal Protection Group welcomes the provisions of the Scottish Marine Bill that will help greater protect our seas and wildlife. However, we are extremely disappointed that the Scottish Government has not seized this opportunity to fundamentally change the law, and with it attitudes, in order to greater protect our globally important seal populations.

The proposed licensing scheme for the killing of seals may reduce the indiscriminate shooting and otherwise killing of seals, but it will not end it.  We will be watching closely to see how the licensing scheme develops. We note with concern that the Government is not prepared to prescribe non-lethal methods of deterring seals, or other proposals intended to address cruelty issues, such as banning the shooting of seals in the breeding seasons to save dependent pups from starvation.

We are further concerned that the debate over the licensing system did not include discussion of the ongoing Moray Firth Management Plan (MFMP), a programme involving the targeted killing of seals, and a cull in everything but name, that the Government wishes to expand throughout Scotland. We are seeking an explanation as to how the new licensing scheme and the MFMP will be integrated to ensure that seals are not simply culled where licences are not granted.

The Seal Protection Action Group has written to the Scottish Government asking for reassurances that the proposed licensing scheme will be fully transparent and that licences will only be granted in the most exceptional of circumstances i.e. where all possible non-lethal alternatives have been tried and demonstrably failed. Additionally, we are demanding that no licences be issued during the breeding seasons for grey and common seals.

We are also calling for increased funding for research, development and mandatory deployment of non-lethal devices to deter seals and other predators that are attracted to aquaculture sites, salmon netting stations and sports angling rivers. In particular, we seek the urgent replacement of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs) already widely in use that are known to be harmful to seals and other marine life, especially cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises).

We are aware of an extremely promising new ADD, that has been developed and laboratory tested, which is believed to be extremely effective in deterring seals without harming them or other wildlife. We are working with a leading salmon retailer and salmon producer to field-trial this device.  However, we would like to see this equipment trialled on a large scale and for its use to be made mandatory if it is proven to be as effective as it promises to be.

The Seal Protection Action Group was founded to oppose the mass culling of seals in Scotland some three decades ago – culls that provoked a huge public outcry. Since then, the systematic slaughter of seals has continued undercover, unabated and enshrined by law. We see no reason why the Scottish salmon industry, which is worth hundreds of millions of pounds, cannot invest in and resolve an issue that is harmful to Scotland’s image and taints Scottish salmon products.

If the Scottish Government and salmon industry collude in order to continue the killing of seals, then Scotland and Scottish salmon products are likely to become targets for public boycott campaigns as a consequence. We sincerely hope that this can be avoided and that they will work together to resolve this issue as a matter of absolute urgency.

Millions of viewers watched the show and we have been overwhelmed by the number of people that have contacted us expressing their support for our campaign.

If you missed the show, then don’t worry, it will be available to watch until 11th April online via BBC’s I-Player.

In addition to Countryfile, our campaign was on the BBC 1 News and also covered by:

BBC News Online         

The Daily Telegraph

MSN News

The Scotsman

And many others!

For further details about our campaign to protect seals in the UK, please click here.

PRESS ENQUIRIES: Please contact us for further details

Please help SPAG to protect seals by:

Thousands of visitors attended the ground breaking event at the Brighton Centre, which featured over 120 stallholders. Our award winning stall focused on two key campaigns, ending the annual slaughter of 5,000 seals in the UK and massacre of 20,000 dolphins in Japan. 

“Visitors to our stall were horrified to learn about the cruel persecution of these wonderful marine mammals” said Andy Ottway, SPAG and Campaign Whale’s Campaign Director, “we urgently need the UK public to back our campaigns in order to protect seals and dolphins before it is too late!”

For details about SPAG and Campaign Whale’s campaigns, please click on the links below:

Help end the slaughter of 5,000 seals in the UK

Help end the massacre of 20,000 dolphins in Japan

Please help SPAG to protect seals by:

The latest celebrities to offer their support include author Julia Stephenson, model and actress Melita Morgan and up and coming social action rock band ‘Truth on Earth’

Talking about their support, the celebrities have said:

“I was horrified to learn that thousands of seals are deliberately killed in UK waters alone every year. I am 100% behind the Seal Protection Action Group’s campaign to give our seals, and seals around the world, the protection they deserve and so desperately need. Please support their vital work to stop the cruel slaughter of seals before it is too late”

Julia Stephenson, Author, Journalist and Green Party Activist

“I fully support The Seal Protection Action Group’s campaign, in regards to the barbaric and heartless methods of slaughter inflicted upon seals in the UK waters and countless others around the world.

It causes me great pain to know I live in a world where man can inflict such pain and suffering to such beautiful animals.

I try to see the needs of man and animal, if man really needs to end the lives of these pure souls, I would like to make my plea on behalf of the world that he should use the knowledge and means to end life with dignity and peace…and MAN YOU HAVE THAT KNOWLEDGE, evolution has given you that, let it not be wasted for the greater good of the worlds animals and humanity alike.

I wish to commend highly the work of the Seal Protection Action Group for its work, especially its great efforts it gives in educating the world of these cruel practices, without you these animals have no voice”

Melita Morgan, Model and Actress

“The incredible source of inspiration and methods of SPAG have improved the quality of lives of thousandsof seals.  Without SPAG’s commitment and dedication, the world would not be educated about the immense cruelty and suffering these voiceless creatures are forced to endure by selfless cowards. We fully support all of the hard work SPAG does and their important effort in raising awareness about seal and animal cruelty when so many others are satisfied with the status quo.”

Serena, Kiley and Tess from Social Action Rock Band, Truth On Earth

For further details about who else supports the work of SPAG, please click here.

You too can also help SPAG protect our seals by: