Seal Welfare: Salmon Farm Conflict, Pup Rescues, and Hunting

Grey and harbour seals in UK waters face welfare challenges from salmon farm conflict management, entanglement in fishing gear, and the pup stranding season.

Key Facts

The UK hosts over 40% of the world's grey seal population
Seals are killed under licence at Scottish salmon farms to protect fish stocks
An estimated 3,500-4,000 seal pups require rescue and rehabilitation each year in the UK
Grey seal pups are born in autumn and are abandoned after three weeks of nursing
Entanglement in discarded fishing gear (ghost gear) is a leading cause of seal injury and death
Seal watching tourism is worth millions annually to coastal communities in Scotland and England

Welfare Considerations

Seals shot at salmon farms can be wounded and escape into the sea, dying slowly from injuries over days. The Scottish Government has issued thousands of shooting licences annually, but enforcement and mortality recording is inadequate. Seal pups abandoned before completing their nursing period face starvation — they must reach a critical fat reserve before their mother leaves. Ghost gear entanglement cuts into seal tissue as animals grow, causing prolonged suffering. Marine rehabilitation centres provide excellent welfare care for rescued seals, but demand exceeds capacity during peak stranding seasons. Seal watching disturbance causes pup abandonment when boats approach too closely.

What You Can Do

Support strong enforcement of salmon farm seal shooting licensing and welfare monitoring
Maintain minimum approach distances during grey seal pupping season (100 metres)
Donate to British Divers Marine Life Rescue supporting seal rehabilitation capacity
Advocate for ghost gear recovery programmes in key seal habitat areas