Scottish fish farmers 'conducting secret seal slaughter'

[Barrett808]

Campaigners claim as many as 5000 killed a year in Scotland
By Auslan Cramb

The Seal Protection Action Group said as many as 5,000 of the mammals were shot every year.

However, the industry claims the figure is nearer 500, and insists that seals have to be controlled to protect commercial stocks.

It is currently legal to shoot seals outside their breeding season when they are threatening fish farms.

Common seal numbers have dropped in recent years and campaigners believe that the unofficial cull is one of the factors behind the decline.

(more)

http://desdemonadespair.blogspot.com/2009/04/scottish-fish-farmers-secret-seal.html

[Annces]

1. Really bad

It can't go on this way. Washington Fish and Wildlife are killing sea lions at Bonneville Dam so the fisherman can have a few more fish.

[Nihil]

2. Great isn't it?

> However, the industry ... and insists that seals have to be controlled
> to protect commercial stocks.
>
> It is currently legal to shoot seals outside their breeding season
> when they are threatening fish farms.

The industry depletes the natural fish stocks, dangle farmed fish in front
of the now-hungry seals then kill them if they act on instinct.
:mad: