More seals than estimated

Environment and Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:

"This important report provides a valuable insight into the behaviours of one of our most fascinating marine mammals. I'm confident it will also help ensure that a better balance is struck between seal conservation and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture in our forthcoming Marine Bill.

"We have already taken decisive action to provide additional protection for common seals and introduced additional monitoring and research to look at probable causes.

"We also know there are concerns about several aspects of current seals legislation, which is almost 40 years old. So we are currently considering options for new measures in the Marine Bill, they will also provide flexibility to accommodate such wide variations in the status of Scotland's two native seal populations.

"Our proposals will significantly increase protection for seals but allow for limited seal management for fisheries and fish farms under licence. They recognise the need for increased protection in respect of declining common seal numbers but acknowledge the continuing need to defend fisheries and fish farms from seals."