Big drop in seal shootings

TIGHTER rules on shooting seals are having a huge impact in reducing deaths, but more needs to be done, according to an animal charity.

Scottish Government figures show 175 grey and 36 common seals were shot in the first six months of this year. The figures represent less than 0.2 per cent of the grey seal population of 108,000 and the minimum common seal population of 20,000.

Campaigners predict 400 seals will be shot this year, up to 90 per cent below historic levels. But Andy Ottaway, of the Seal Protection Action Group, said: “An average of at least one seal shot every single day is too high a price to pay for Scottish salmon and other Scottish seafood.”