Seals
13.29
Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, seals may be shot by fishermen and others
to prevent damage to fishing nets or fishing tackle, provided that at the time the seal was
in the vicinity of the net or tackle. Seals may also be shot to prevent damage to fisheries
under licences issued by Natural England (for rivers only), the Marine Management
Organisation, the Welsh Government, or the Scottish Government (see section 10 of the
1970 Act). No firearm may be used except a rifle using ammunition with a muzzle energy
of greater than 600 foot pounds and a bullet weight of not less than 45 grains (see section
1 of the Act). This equates to at least a .22 Hornet centrefire rifle using 45 grain, although
this cartridge is, at best, only marginally humane. More information on this subject can be
found within chapter 14
Control of Seals
14.63
Legislation relating to seals is to be found in The Conservation of Seals Act 1970 together
with Orders made by Defra. In Scotland, the 1970 Act has been repealed and the
protection of seals is now secured under Part 6 of the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.
14.64
The 1970 Act prohibits the killing or taking of seals during the close season, which is:
Grey seals:
1 September – 31 December
Common/harbour seals:
1 June – 31 August
14.65
The Conservation of Seals (England) Order 1999 further prohibits the killing, injuring or
taking of seals in the counties of England bordering the North Sea: from Northumberland
to East Sussex, and adjacent waters throughout the rest of the year.
14.66
The 1970 Act provides a defence for the killing of seals to prevent damage to fishing nets
etc. by the owner or a person acting on their behalf, provided the seal was in the vicinity of
the net or tackle at the time. The Act does not stipulate whether the fisherman is involved
in, or using, equipment for sea fishing only, or whether it also includes freshwater fishing.
Section 10 (1) states that licences to kill or take seals in specific areas may be granted by
the Secretary of State, with the consent of the appropriate nature conservation body. No
firearm may be used except a rifle using ammunition with a muzzle energy exceeding 600
foot pounds and a bullet weighing not less than 45 grains so that any .22 rimfire rifles are
excluded and .22 centrefire rifles are required, with the .22 Hornet using 45 grain bullets
representing the lowest acceptable combination of bullet weight and energy.