What considerations it takes into account when deciding whether to grant a licence under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 authorising the…

Answered Asked by Dr Sylvia Jackson Lab Lodged 18 Nov 2004

The question

To ask the Scottish Executive what considerations it takes into account when deciding whether to grant a licence under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 authorising the killing or taking of seals for the prevention of damage to fisheries and whether it requires an applicant for a licence to have attempted to use non-lethal means of seal deterrence first.

The answer

Answered by Lewis Macdonald on 1 Dec 2004 · 13 days after it was lodged, on time

Applicants must provide evidence of serious damage occurring, or likely to occur, to the fishery. The type of evidence required includes regular seal count information, evidence of declining fish stocks and evidence of damaged fish in catches. Advice in respect of each application is sought from Fisheries Research Services, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Sea Mammals Research Unit.
The application form for a licence requires the provision of details of non-lethal, anti-predation measures that have been used and why they are not considered sufficient.

In the Official Report

No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-12334 by reference.