Huge seal cull in U.K.

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33067, 7 November 1972, Page 19

Huge seal cull in U.K.

fN.Z. Press Assn—Copyright) LONDON, November 6. Shooting began at first light today in the largest seal-killing mission undertaken in British waters.

On the Fame Islands, off the Northumberland coast, up to 2250 grey seals will be shot by professional marksmen in the next fortnight. Officials of the National Trust, which has organised the seal cull, do not expect demonstrations by opponents of the killings, but a police launch is patrolling the islands.

An investigation made last year showed that the Fame Islands were over-populated with grey seals. Increasing numbers of dead, sick, or starving seals had been seen on the breeding grounds, and some of these seals were be coming aggressive. A report recommended that up to 1000 female seals, 1000 pups, and up to 250 bull seals should be shot.

A Norwegian company has been given the contract to shoot the seals, and to take the carcases to Norway foi sale. The three marksmen will use high-velocity rifles and soft-nosed bullets. Afterwards, the carcases will be winched aboard a deepfreeze ship, and taken to Norway to be processed for blubber and leather.

Mr Nigel Bonner, one of those to recommend the culling, said that the marksmen

were highly-skilled men who earned their living shooting seals in the Atlantic. “I have not the slightest doubt that they will despatch these animals cleanly and humanely. If they do not, they will not be allowed

to carry on,” he said. “I feel that the operation is absolutely essential, if we are to have a healthy stock of seals on the Fame Islands. “I don’t like the idea of killing seals, but I recognise the necessity for it."