Marine Life & Conservation
Victory for Sea Shepherd and Seals in Scotland
After two years of active campaigning and incredible risks, Sea Shepherd UK may no longer need to return to the North of Scotland to protect seals, at least for the next three years.
The Scottish Government has announced that starting April 1st, 2016 that:
“Killing outwith estuary limits will be prohibited for three years due to the mixed stock nature of the fishery and limited data on the composition of the catch.”
Source: http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Wild-salmon-conservation-216d.aspx
For the last two years Sea Shepherd UK has actively campaigned to protect Scotland’s Harbour and Grey seals from being killed by the UK’s most notorious seal killers – Scotland’s wild salmon netting companies, in particular Usan Salmon Fisheries Ltd (AKA Scottish Wild Salmon Company). They shot more seals than all the Scottish fish farms put together prior to Sea Shepherd small boats and crews arriving in April 2014.
Whatever the reasoning for this rapid change in policy… actual concern for wild salmon stocks – or (together with) the Scottish government feeling the pressure due to Sea Shepherd UK’s Seal Defence campaign on the Caithness and Aberdeenshire/Moray coast together with the Hunt Saboteurs Association seal campaign on the Angus coast – this is welcome news.
This Scottish Government policy change means that Sea Shepherd UK will be able to focus on other reports and evidence of the killing of seals in the UK as well as investigating other sites where marine wildlife crimes have been alleged.
Sea Shepherd UK Director Rob Read said: “With coastal wild salmon netting prohibited for 3 years this ends the legal shooting of seals by such companies and since there will be no ‘fixed engine’ salmon nets in the water it likely ends any illegal shooting of seals, especially as we now have local volunteers watching these coastal locations.”
At the peak of the campaign there were more than 70 international Sea Shepherd volunteers stationed at sites across Scotland.
The volunteers repeatedly clashed with seal shooters in often dramatic scenes, and in August last year the Press and Journal revealed the teams were using drone technology in their battle against marksmen.
Sea Shepherd UK is pursuing several prosecutions for Wildlife Crimes from evidence collected during the 2015 Seal Defence Campaign which was handed over to Police Scotland and is currently with the Procurator Fiscal’s Office.
If you have information about illegal fishing, the killing of marine mammals or illegal destruction/damage to the marine environment please email Sea Shepherd U.K. with details: report@seashepherduk.org
Marine Life & Conservation
Double Bubble for Basking Sharks
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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