Western Isles conservation zone to save common seal

Vulnerable seal populations are to be given greater protection, Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham has announced.

A new seal conservation area is to be created across the whole of the Western Isles in response to a widespread decline in common seal numbers.

The existing protection measures - for Orkney, Shetland, the Moray Firth and Firth of Tay - are also to be continued.

Ms Cunningham said: "Scotland's seals form a unique part of our marine environment and the decline in common seal numbers in recent years is very worrying.

"That's why we have taken action using the provisions under the new Marine Scotland Act to create conservation areas.

"Using these provisions to cover the whole of the Western Isles will bring new protection for these seals."

Further research into the populations of common seals in the Western Isles is to be carried out.

There is at least 20,000 common seals in Scotland, a report last year found, but numbers have been declining. There are about 164,000 grey seals.

A seal conservation area reduces human pressures on the seal population. The measure requires management authority Marine Scotland to take into account the vulnerable condition of the local seal population before granting any licences to shoot them, usually to fishing interests.

The Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 improves protection for seals, including a comprehensive licence system, tougher penalties for those who harm seals and allowing ministers to designate protected areas.