Any excuse for a cute photo...

I don't sign EDMs any more, but if you have an MP who does, I've been asked to publicise this. And I have asked parliamentary questions on this issue, not with any great success it has to be said. Must remember to follow up. Anyway, here's Paddy Tipping's EDM:

EDM 678 PROTECTION FOR SEALS
That this House recognises the UK's international obligations to maintain its globally important seal populations at a favourable conservation status; notes that seal populations remain depleted and are threatened by further outbreaks of the phocine distemper virus and remain under increasing threat from climate change, depletion of prey species pollution and deliberate killing; notes with extreme concern scientific reports of a frightening decline in the population of common seals in UK waters; further notes that an estimated 5,000 seals are shot in Scottish waters by the salmon industry; believes that the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 is outdated and in urgent need of review or replacement; and calls on the Government to implement an immediate and comprehensive ban on the deliberate killing of all seals, to replace the Conservation of Seals Act 1970 with legislation for the comprehensive protection of seals in the forthcoming Marine Bill and to liaise with the Scottish Executive to this end.

This apparently is a Kirkcaldy seal. Wonder if we can enlist the local MP in support?

Shooting seals

I've heard a rumour there might be some welcome news on seals very soon. Might be related to this campaign? Don't know.

Have to admit, despite my involvement in campaigning against seal clubbing, I had no idea that it was deemed OK to shoot seals in Scotland. There's a campaign to end this slaughter in the Marine Bill for Scotland, which is sister legislation (if such a concept exists) to the Marine and Coastal Access Bill announced in the Queen's Speech. Need to check out the extent to which it's a devolved matter, but certainly seems to be almost totally a Scottish issue. Here's some more info from Protect our Seals, including details of their 'seal friendly salmon' campaign.

And of course, it's an excuse to include a cute photo.