Marine Life & Conservation
Sea Shepherd UK offers reward for conviction of anyone illegally killing iconic Scottish Seals

This is old news (from late April) but we feel it’s still worth publishing. The following has been taken from Sea Shepherd UK’s website:
Sea Shepherd UK is offering a £5000 reward for photographic or video evidence leading to the successful prosecution of employees, representatives, contractors or agents of the Scottish Wild Salmon Company (AKA – Usan Salmon Fisheries Limited) or any companies or individuals for illegally killing iconic Scottish seals.
Sea Shepherd UK is currently engaged in our Scottish Seal Defence Campaign based near Banff in Aberdeenshire. We are extremely pleased that the Scottish Wild Salmon Company has announced that they are currently not taking out firearms in order to shoot seals in Gamrie Bay, this is solely due to the presence of our campaign crew who have been monitoring their activities to ensure that no seals are killed. However, the Scottish Wild Salmon Company needs to understand that Sea Shepherd is relentless in its mission to defend ocean wildlife, and we will extend our Scottish Seal Defence Campaign for as long as the seals need protection.
The government of Scotland provides companies, including the Scottish Wild Salmon Company, with licenses to kill seals. However, the legislation requires that seals may only be shot as a last resort after all other methods of control have been applied. The actions of the fishing companies themselves are attracting seals to the salmon. Seals in this particular area do not typically eat salmon, but are being drawn by the large catches of salmon trapped in nets.
Scottish Wild Salmon Company has a non-lethal solution available for us in the form of Acoustic Deterrent Devices (ADDs), and they have recently announced they will now rely on ADDs at other Salmon netting sites. Unfortunately, bullets are always cheaper and easier than non-lethal alternatives. Although shooting seals in Gamrie bay is currently suspended due to Sea Shepherd UK’s monitoring and patrols – the shooting of seals could return if we were to leave (which we have no intention of doing).
Why does it take policing by an NGO to make companies do the right thing under the law? Without effective policing by Marine Scotland (the agency responsible for the seal killing licenses), it is left to Sea Shepherd to once again uphold national and international laws which governments neither cannot, nor will not enforce.
David Scott, Director of Sea Shepherd UK stated, “Since the Scottish seal cull resumed in January 2011, Usan Salmon Fisheries Ltd has slaughtered more seals than any other firm holding licences to kill these wonderfully friendly and inquisitive animals. The damage they are doing to Scotland’s reputation as a world leading eco-tourism destination cannot be overstated. The damage to the local seal population is evident for all to see.”
The Scottish people recently voted for the seals to be one of Scotland’s Big 5 iconic species, and by needlessly slaughtering beautiful Scottish seals the Scottish Wild Salmon Company is damaging Scotland’s image around the world.
The only course of action for the Scottish Wild Salmon Company is to immediately relinquish their seal killing licences and publically announce that they are now a seal-friendly company.
In order to qualify for any Sea Shepherd reward, the information or evidence provided must directly lead to the apprehension and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the crime and the case for which information is supplied must still be open with the appropriate authorities. Law enforcement officers (and any persons who obtain such information by way of their occupation) are not eligible for Sea Shepherd rewards.
To encourage local residents to help defend their seals – Sea Shepherd UK is also offering £100 for new (taken after 27th April 2014) clear images or video of the Scottish Wild Salmon Company shooting seals within their current licence conditions in Gamrie Bay.
To submit information or evidence on the illegal killing of seals by the Scottish Wild Salmon Company or any other company or individuals – please e-mail Sea Shepherd UK’s campaign crew at: report@seashepherduk.org including as many details, clear photographs and video as possible.
For more information visit www.seashepherd.org.uk.
Blogs
The life of a Great White Shark

The great white shark, known scientifically as Carcharodon carcharias, embodies the apex predator of the ocean. This majestic creature’s life is a testament to survival, adaptability, and the intricate balance of the marine ecosystem.
Born in the waters off coastal regions, a great white shark begins its life as a pup within the safety of nurseries, typically found in warm, shallow waters. The pups, measuring around 5 feet in length at birth, are immediately equipped with an innate instinct for survival.
As they grow, great whites embark on a journey, venturing into deeper and cooler waters, often covering vast distances across the ocean. These apex predators are perfectly adapted hunters, relying on their impressive senses to detect prey. Their acute sense of smell, aided by specialized sensory organs known as ampullae of Lorenzini, helps detect the faintest traces of blood in the water from several miles away.
Feeding primarily on seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals, great whites are known for their powerful jaws lined with rows of razor-sharp teeth. Their hunting techniques often involve stealth, utilizing their streamlined bodies to approach prey from below and striking with incredible speed and force.
Despite their fearsome reputation, great whites play a crucial role in maintaining the health of marine ecosystems. As top predators, they help regulate the population of prey species, preventing overpopulation that could disrupt the balance of the food chain.
Reproduction among great white sharks is a slow and careful process. Females reach sexual maturity between 12 and 18 years of age, while males mature earlier, around 9 to 10 years old. Mating occurs through complex courtship rituals, with females giving birth to a small number of live pups after a gestation period of about 12 to 18 months.
However, the life of a great white shark is not without challenges. Human activities, including overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction, pose significant threats to their population. Additionally, despite their formidable presence, great whites are vulnerable and face dangers from entanglement in fishing gear and accidental bycatch.
Despite these challenges, great white sharks continue to inspire awe and fascination among scientists and nature enthusiasts. Their presence in the ocean serves as a reminder of the delicate balance and interconnectedness of marine life, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures for future generations to admire and study.
Want to learn more about sharks? Visit The Shark Trust website: www.sharktrust.org
Photos: avalon.red
Marine Life & Conservation
Book Review: Sea Mammals

Sea Mammals: The Past and Present Lives of Our Oceans’ Cornerstone Species by Annalisa Berta
This is a book packed with information about some of the most iconic and charismatic marine species. I have a particular soft spot for the pinnipeds, seals and sea lions, due to some incredible diving encounters over the years. So these were the pages I first turned to.
Once picked up this book is hard to put down. Polar Bears, Narwhal, Sea Otters, manatees, whales and dolphins adorn the pages with beautiful photographs and illustrations. Each turn of the page lures you in to discover more about a species you love, one you want to learn more about, some you have never heard of and even includes the details of fascinating animals that are sadly now extinct.
I think what I love most about this book is how it is organised. Rather than simply lump the animals into taxonomic groupings, they are put into chapters that tell you a story about them. Whether it is the story of their evolution, how they were discovered, their biology, behaviour or need for conservation. Once you have decided on an animal to delve deeper into, each species has its own story, as well as key information about size, diet, distribution, habitat and conservation status.
There is plenty to enjoy in this delightful book. Plenty to learn too. As the cold dark nights draw in, I can see myself delving into this book time and time again. This is a perfect gift for anyone that loves the ocean and its inhabitants. Or just treat yourself.
What the publisher says:
From the gregarious sea otter and playful dolphins to the sociable narwhal and iconic polar bear, sea mammals are a large, diverse, and increasingly precious group. In this book, Annalisa Berta, a leading expert on sea mammals and their evolution, presents an engaging and richly illustrated introduction to past and present species of these remarkable creatures, from the blue whale and the northern fur seal to the extinct giant sperm whale, aquatic sloth, and walking sea cow.
The book features more than 50 individual species profiles, themed chapters, stunning photographs, and specially commissioned paleo-illustrations of extinct species. It presents detailed accounts of these mammals’ evolutionary path, anatomy, behavior, habitats, and conservation. And because these are key species that complete many food chains and have the widest influence of all sea life, the book also offers insights into a broad variety of marine worlds today and in the future.
About the Author:
Annalisa Berta is professor emerita of biology at San Diego State University. A specialist in the anatomy and evolutionary biology of marine mammals, especially baleen whales, she formally described a skeleton of the early pinniped Enaliarctos. She is the author of Return to the Sea: The Life and Evolutionary Times of Marine Mammals and the editor of the award-winning Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises: A Natural History and Species Guide.
Book Details
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Hardcover
Price: £25
ISBN: 9780691236643
Published: 26th September, 2023
Pages: 224
-
Blogs2 months ago
Discover Peace and Tranquillity in Egypt’s Eastern Desert and its Amazing Red Sea
-
News1 month ago
Emperor Echo liveaboard sustains “irreversible damage” in lightning storm at Fury Shoals
-
Blogs2 months ago
A Flying Visit to Nusa Penida, Bali
-
Blogs2 weeks ago
My week on Scuba Scene: simply the best Red Sea liveaboard experience
-
News2 months ago
2023 Ocean Art Underwater Photo Competition Announced
-
Marine Life & Conservation2 months ago
Book Review: The Lives of Octopuses and Their Relatives
-
Equipment2 months ago
Oceanic+ Now Has Freedive Mode on Apple Watch Ultra
-
News2 months ago
Miss Scuba UK on Bridging the Gender Gap in Commercial & Recreational Diving