There are actually two types of seals in the UK and Scotland that make permanent homes there. On occasion other seals will stop in while making their way to different homes. Unfortunately because of indiscriminate killing of seals there has been a big decline in the population. Many people are not aware how the seal population is being affected by the shooting that is allowed by fishermen. They believe seals are protected by the Conservation of Seals Act of 1970. This act was intended to protect seals, but it is falling short. Something more is needed to keep seal populations growing instead of declining.

Types of Seals in Scotland and Britain

There are two main types of seals that are found in Scotland and Great Britain. They are the grey seal and the harbor seal or common seal. It is the common seal that is seeing a decline in population. There are approximately 55,000 harbor seals in the Scotland and Great Britain area this is a decline of past counts. The grey seals are estimated to be around 120,000. This is around 36% of the world population. There is 5% of the world population of harbor seals.

Common or Harbor Seals

Harbor seals are members of the pinniped family. This actually means winged feet. They get their name from the shape of their feet. Harbor seals are more solitary than other species of seals but they will form in small groups when basking. Common seals spend most of their lives in the water, where there are many perils. They are a favorite food of Great White Sharks and Killer Whales. With the high number of natural predators, there is no reason mankind has to add to their demise.

In 1988 nearly 1/3 of the seal population vanished due to disease. Again in 2002 another 30,000 died. During this period the UK government stepped in and upheld the Conservation of Seals Act by stopping all killing of seals. This was short lived however and now fishermen are once again killing seals to protect their fisheries.

Grey Seals

Grey Seals are larger than harbor seals and tend to enjoy each other\’s company. They are the largest meat eater in the UK. As carnivores they usually stick to fish, shellfish, eels and octopus for their meals. Seals can dive deep so if there are no fish to be found near the surface they will dive to deep depths to hunt. They are able to hold their breath for a long period of time. A male grey seal will be about 2.3 metres in length. Females of the same species will be much smaller at 1.8 metres in length.

Seals do not need to eat much to live. They are not the ones causing a shortage of fish. Fishermen want to blame something and unfortunately the seal is the one that has to live with that blame. Because of this many seals are killed to protect the fisheries. If anti-predator nets were used, it would prevent the taking of fish by seals. There would be no reason to kill seals. The government doesn’t seem interested in making these nets mandatory yet. How many seals will have to die before something is done?

Help with the decline in Seal Population by visiting of the Gweek Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall or the Oban Seal Sanctuary in Scotland which both have an amazing variety of animals from otters and sharks, to a full seal rescue facility and hospital.

Help with the decline in Seal Population by visiting of the http://www.visitsealife.com/gweek Gweek Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall or the http://www.visitsealife.com/oban Oban Seal Sanctuary in Scotland which both have an amazing variety of animals from otters and sharks, to a full seal rescue facility and hospital.

Author Bio: Help with the decline in Seal Population by visiting of the Gweek Seal Sanctuary in Cornwall or the Oban Seal Sanctuary in Scotland which both have an amazing variety of animals from otters and sharks, to a full seal rescue facility and hospital.

Category: Society
Keywords: harbor seals, seal population, harbor seals harbor, grey seals, harbor seal