Attitudes To Seal-Watching in Scotland
The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the largest animal welfare organisations in the world, is enlisting support for sustainable seal watching from Members of the Scottish Parliament.
A MORI Scotland poll, commissioned in June 1999 by IFAW, revealed a clear majority (70%) of MSPs supported a greater promotion of seal watching as a form of ecotourism in Scotland. A further MORI public opinion poll, showed that 80% of the Scottish public felt that seals are an important part of Scotland's natural heritage and 73% support a greater promotion of seal watching.
A recent baseline study of seal watching commissioned by the IFAW, estimated that seal watching provided at least 16336 million to the UK economy in 1996. Wildlife watching is not only economically viable but big business. In addition, it serves to educate and inspire the public, teaching a healthy respect for their natural environment.
At the end of another grey seal breeding season we can only wait for yet another angry call for a cull from fishermen. As the population of UK seals returns to healthy levels after thousands of year of hunting for pelts, meat and oil they continue to be scape-goated for eating too many fish. The very stocks the seals are accused of decimating are those that were deemed 'overfished' by commercial fisheries as long as one hundred years ago. The International Council for Exploration of the Sea annual report recently called for a reduction in fishing quotas by 40% as a measure to prevent such devastating over-fishing caused by man (Guardian, 13th November 1999). However, seals are always blamed for our own mistakes. Just in the last few days scientists from the Sea Mammal Research Unit of the University of St Andrews state that the system is highly complex saying that "The grey seal population is increasing so more fish are being eaten by seals than previously. However, the impact of this on commercial fish stocks is difficult to predict because the marine food web around Britain is highly complex. A reduction in numbers of one predator (e.g. seals) will not necessarily result in there being more fish available to fisherman."
So angry are some fishermen in their vehemence against seals that they are willing to commit acts of violence and vandalism in order to make their point. Ross Flett of Orkney Seal Rescue said that he has been "the victim of such vandalism on three different occasions, and is now seriously considering installing CCTV security. I have also witnessed violent acts against defenceless seal pups in the wild. On one occasion 26 grey seal pups were found on a nearby beach, having been shot in the head ... ". However, the anger is not restricted to the island of Orkney - this summer a group of divers narrowly escaped serious injury after being caught in the crossfire of fishermen blasting seals at Bell Rock, 13 miles off the coast at Arbroath (Sunday Mail, 18th July 1999).
So who's right and who has the answer to the seal-fishery problem? Kirsten Young of the International Fund for Animal Welfare said "on the dawn of a new millennium where we are all being asked to recount and learn by our previous mistakes, these types of ecological problems can only be solved by long-term, sustainable answers not anger, violence and vandalism".
The International Fund for Animal Welfare:
- Supports responsible seal watching.
- Has enlisted the support of MSPs in their campaign for sustainable seal watching.
- Commissioned a MORI Scotland public opinion poll (1,000 people aged 18+ y. old interviewed by telephone, between 1st - 3rd June 1999) which found that 80% of the Scottish public felt that seals are an important part of Scotland's natural heritage and 73% support a greater promotion of seal watching. A further MORI poll investigating opinions held by Members of the Scottish Parliament showed that 70% supported a greater promotion of seal watching as a form of ecotourism in Scotland. The poll covered 73 MSPs, interviewed by telephone between 15-29 June 1999.
- Has produced an educational leaflet entitled 'Seals and seal watching in the UK and Republic of Ireland' which covers the biology of seals and responsible seal watching. Leaflets are available to seal watch operators and the public from Supporter Services at our UK Office on 01892-601 900.
Public Attitudes To Seal-Watching in Scotland
Research study conducted on behalf of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Scotland between 1-3 June 1999.
Q To what extent would you support or oppose greater promotion of seal-watching as a form of eco-tourism in Scotland?
| Strongly support |  16030% |
| Tend to support | 16043% |
| Neither | 1606% |
| Tend to oppose | 1607% |
| Strongly oppose | 1602% |
| Don't know/no opinion | 16012% |
Q The plants and animals in Scotland form its natural heritage. How important do you think seals are to Scotland's natural heritage?
| Very important |  16031% |
| Fairly important | 16049% |
| Not very important | 16010% |
| Not at all important | 1603% |
| Don't know | 1607% |
Scottish MPs (MSPs) Attitudes To Seal-Watching in Scotland
Research study conducted for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) between 15-29 June 1999.
Q To what extent would you support or oppose greater promotion of seal-watching as a form of eco-tourism in Scotland?
| Strongly support |  16020% |
| Tend to support | 16050% |
| Neither | 16014% |
| Tend to oppose | 1602% |
| Strongly oppose | - |
| Don't know/no opinion | 16014% |
Technical details
MORI Scotland interviewed a representative sample of 1,000 people aged 18+ across Scotland. Interviews were conducted by MORI's telephone research centre On-Line Scotland between 1st-3rd June 1999. Data are weighted to represent the profile of the population.
MORI interviewed 73 Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). Interviews were conduced by MORI's telephone research centre On-Line Scotland between 15th-29th June 1999. Letters were sent out prior to fieldwork asking Members for their help. Data are weighted to reflect the profile of the parliamentary parties.
