Commissioner hears seal cull call

Scotland's seal population is the world's second largest

Fishermen are pressing for the first seal cull in the Scotland for 28 years rather than see quotas further cut.

They have asked European Union Fisheries Commissioner Joe Borg to consider the move during his two-day visit to Scotland.

Mr Borg warned he would be considering EU scientists' advice for a complete halt to cod fishing.

Last December the EU reduced quotas by 15% and fishermen's leaders have urged him to maintain this year's limits.

The scientists say a zero catch is necessary to allow overfished cod stocks to revive.

The best I can hope for is the creation of something akin to the red deer commission that would look at the seal population and tell us what they are eating and whether they are having a negative impact on fishing Struan Stevenson MEP

However, politicians argue fishing communities cannot be put out of work overnight.

In Scotland, research into a seal cull has the backing of Labour MSP Alasdair Morrison and Conservative MEP Struan Stevenson.

Earlier this week, Mr Stevenson said that in his seven years on the fisheries committee members have avoided discussing a cull.

He said: "No-one's ever mentioned the word seal - it's taboo.

"The best I can hope for is the creation of something akin to the red deer commission that would look at the seal population and tell us what they are eating and whether they are having a negative impact on fishing."

Mr Stevenson said there were 150,000 seals in Scotland.

Large population

Last April, Western Isles MSP Mr Morrison said that if it could be proved the seal population was damaging fish stocks, tough decisions should be made.

At the time wildlife campaigners were condemning Canada's decision to cull about 300,000 seals.

Scotland has the world's second largest seal population and Mr Morrison said that they should be treated like other animals.