In a step in the right direction for animal welfare, the Scottish Government is set to ban salmon farmers from shooting and killing seals, who sometimes break into salmon pens to eat the fish.
The Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) bill will remove the two main justifications for shooting seals, which are to prevent damage to fisheries and fish farms and to protect the health and welfare of farmed fish. Under the new law, anybody convicted of illegally shooting a seal will receive a maximum of five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
Seal killings in Scotland have risen considerably in the last few years. In 2019, 97 seals were shot to death (up from 86 in 2018), and according to Marine Scotland, in just the first three months of 2020, there have already been 31 seal shootings at fish farms and fisheries, compared to 21 during the same time period in 2019.
“We share our seas with these charismatic marine mammals, and it is simply unacceptable to kill them for eating the fish in their ocean home,” said Mark Simmons, a senior marine scientist at the Humane Society. “It is important that this ban comes swiftly into force and that the situation is carefully and independently monitored to ensure there is not a spike in seal killing in the run-up to its implementation, or indeed illegal killing afterwards. Benign methods to keep seals away from fish farms will need to be deployed and carefully observed to ensure that they are safe.”
The Scottish Government’s decision has been linked to Scotland’s need to adhere to the U.S .Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) if it wants the United States to continue purchasing the 55 million pounds of salmon (worth nearly $229 million) it imports each year.
The amendments will also impose stronger controls on the use of underwater acoustic deterrent devices (ADDs), which deter seals from getting into salmon cages – devices Scotland Natural Heritage describes as “sonic torture.” The maximum penalty for serious animal and wildlife crimes will increase, and the current six-month limit in which to start prosecuting an offense will also be removed.
While there is still more to be accomplished, Lady Freethinker applauds these efforts and commitments to animal welfare.
Seals depend on fish more than we do.
Humans are the biggest pest on the planet, seals do not know how to be a pest.
Cruelty needs to STOP!
Stop the cruelty.
Stop the cruelty.
Hope they find the sleazebag that hurt the seals.Also find the bastards that taped the pups mouth and do him the same way. See.how it feels to have mouth taped and left to die! God dont like ugly especially when u mistreat an animal.
All these rotten son of bitches
I hope the Animal and Wildlife (Penalties, Protection and Powers) bill will be thoroughly enforced. I am glad the Scottish government acted on this matter by adhering to the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) but it seems as though it was not done because they cared about the welfare of these mammals. It appears that they had no choice because they still want the United States to continue purchasing the 55 million pounds of salmon (worth nearly $229 million) it imports each year. So MONEY was the true driving force. Why can‘t so-call “humans” just leave the animals alone. These animals don’t know that they have treaded upon unwelcome land. They are just trying to survive. So-called “humankind” is the greatest threat to this earth with their evil and destructive ways.
Can you imagine?! — MURDERING seals — “pesky” at that — for BEING seals and LIVING their seal lives — the audacity of Humans — the depraved cruelty of Humans is beyond words — THANK YOU to the Animal organizations AND to the Scottish Govt for making this LAW — please — please — ensure you ENFORCE this law to protect our beautiful SEALS from the IDIOT-MONSTERS who think they have the rights to everything under the sun — they do NOT — and, they MUST be PUNISHED severely and PENALIZED with STIFF fines if they continue with their brutality & break the law.
I wish they would send their good soul and integrity to Newfoundland & Labrador.
COMMEHumans are the selfish product of the earth.
You can certainly live without meat and fish, man does NOT need that.
The seals only eat fish du I think it’s a very good thing that the rotten man should leave these beautiful animals alone!NT
Humans can live without fish (I do) and it is not only unlawful to kill seals who by nature eat fish, it is selfish, it is disrespectful and it is against the commandment thou shalt not kill.
Such actions can lead to even more hideous acts against the better choices.
EXCELLENTE NOUVELLE!!!!
It’s so nice to read some good news for a change. The seals shouldn’t have to be killed for eating in their own backyard. The ban should be immediate.
Thank heavens for this ban!
I had absolutely no idea that this was allowed to happen. Many thanks to the Scottish Government for banning this abhorrent practice.
I cry every time I see the beautiful Regan’s picture
so, the salmon farmers are not allowed to protect their livelihood from predictors? So, on that same note, a chicken farmer or a sheep herder should not protect their animals from predictors? I don’t think that’s right. And what “Benign methods” should they use, and who will pay for that? Will it cause the price of Salmon to go up as a result?
Oh shut up, sounds like you’re salivating over your next salmon dinner,otherwise why would you care if the price goes up,right,Tim$
Firstly its preditors not predictors and secondly the seals are the victims here not the fish farmers
Animal protection first….greed and cruelty dead last
so, the salmon farmers are not allowed to protect their livelihood from predictors? So, on that same note, a chicken farmer or a sheet herder should not protect their animals from predictors? I don’t think that’s right. And what “Benign methods” should they use, and who will pay for that? Will it cause the price of Salmon to go up as a result?
This is good news indeed.
Scotland, eliminate factory fish farms.
More good news finally
More good news finally