Killing seals is to be banned all year round under new laws proposed today for managing the seas around Scotland.
Killing seals is to be banned all year round under new laws proposed today for managing the seas around Scotland.
Legislation on seal conservation dating back to 1970 are to be repealed and killing or injuring a seal is to be made an offence except under licence or for animal welfare concerns.
At present, licensing applies only during the breeding season.
The curbs forms part of Scotland's first Marine Bill which Rural Secretary Richard Lochhead today hailed as a "milestone" in managing the seas.
If passed by MSPs, the new law will cover the seas from shore to the 12-mile limit, and will attempt to balance competing interests through a legal planning framework.
The provisions for banning the killing of seals will allow for "limited" killing under licence in certain circumstances, like preventing serious damage to fisheries.
Killing seals without a licence will be allowed in some circumstances, like "mercy killing" or where animal welfare is a consideration.
Under the Bill's wider provisions, a national marine plan will identify aims and priorities.
Ministers will also be able to create marine regions and delegate some planning functions.
Marine "planning partnerships" will involve local bodies, and a simpler licensing system will aim to cut red tape and reduce costs in areas like renewable energy.
Better nature and historic conservation is also promised to protect wildlife, marine archaeology, and wrecks.
Launching the Bill, Mr Lochhead said: "We have listened and are now responding to demand for change by delivering a Bill that will make the most of Scotland's unique coastal and marine environment without spoiling one of our most prized treasures.
"It will create a simpler regulatory system for the marine environment and allow greater local participation in marine and coastal matters."
The Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF) said it backed the overall aims but the Bill could pose both opportunities and threats for the fishing industry.
SFF spokesman Bertie Armstrong said: "It is vital that the Bill avoids the pitfall of paying disproportionate attention to the high profile issues of environmental protection and offshore renewable energy.
"Both are welcome and desirable, but proper recognition must always be given to fishing and the vital economic role it plays."
A coalition of environmental groups, Scottish Environment Link, welcomed the Bill as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity but also voiced concerns.
Calum Duncan, of the Marine Conservation Society and chairman of the coalition's marine task force, said: "There are still some areas in the Bill where there is significant room for improvement and we will be pushing for it to be as strong as possible.
"In particular, we are concerned that the health of the marine ecosystem will be traded off against social and economic objectives for our seas rather than underpinning them."
