SSPO condemns decision to reveal information about seal killing

SSPO condemns decision to reveal information about seal killings

UK: The Scottish Information Commissioner has found in favour of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA) in its appeal against Scottish Ministers following a freedom of information request to reveal information about seals killed under seal killing licences issued by the Ministers, including to which companies licences had been issued and how many seals were actually killed. Following an investigation, the Commissioner found that the Ministers, while revealing some information, had wrongly withheld information on seal killings and required it to be disclosed.

Commenting on the decision to require Scottish Government to publish locations of fish farms where seals have been shot Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation said: "Fish farmers accept that despite the Information Commissioner’s recognition that there is a risk to public safety, she intends to instruct Scottish Government to publish information on the location of farms where seals have been shot.

"Clearly, satisfying campaigners and achieving headlines is more important than public safety. We stand with salmon netsmen in our commitment to exclude and deter seals and to shoot only when all other measures fail.  This is entirely legal and necessary to protect fish welfare.

"When campaigners get their facts right about the deterrent measures used and the most effective approaches under different local circumstances they will perhaps recognise we can have sensible reporting about the success of seal management and the falling numbers of seals shot."