Better protection for seals

Scotland will be at the forefront of improving protection for seals because of proposed marine legislation, the Scottish Environment Secretary has said.

Richard Lochhead spoke out as MSPs debated the general principles of the Scottish Government's Marine Bill.

And he said one of the measures in this would be the creation of a new offence aimed at protecting seals.

Mr Lochhead said: "The Bill will put Scotland at the forefront of improving seal protection, creating a new offence of killing or injuring a seal at any time unless under licence."

Members of Holyrood's Rural Affairs and Environment Committee have already called for tougher restrictions on killing the creatures, arguing that a new offence of "intentionally or recklessly harassing seals" should be included in the new law.

But Mr Lochhead said he was "somewhat cautious" about this. He said: "A modern approach to seal protection must not be overly restrictive. I am therefore somewhat cautious about the suggestion of including a harassment offence in the Bill.

"I appreciate the intent behind the recommendation. But I ask Parliament to recognise the difficulties of achieving this without unintended consequences on legitimate activities."

Mr Lochhead also revealed to MSPs that Scotland is to be given further powers over the waters off Scotland's coast.

At present the Scottish Government's powers only extend to those waters within a 12-mile limit of the shore. But Mr Lochhead said: "I can announce that Scotland will be the competent authority for all Scottish waters right out to 200 nautical miles, with allowances for reserved interests."

He added that the Scottish Government was in the process of agreeing a concordat with the UK Government on how this would work.