Seals

The Moray Firth Seal Management Plan was first implemented in 2005 with the aim of protecting salmon and sea trout stocks while also maintaining the conservation status of the Dornoch Firth Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for common seals.

The scheme introduced the novel approach of managing seals and Salmon over a large geographical area, the training of Nominated Marksmen to an agreed standard, and the accurate reporting of all seals shot.

In January 2009 the Scottish Government again issued a licence for the shooting of 50 common seals and 60 grey seals by DSFBs in agreed Management Areas. These areas are largely restricted to freshwaters and river estuaries. A further 10 animals of each species were expected to be shot by Salmon netsmen, who do not require licences, at netting stations in the Moray Firth. Among these the Spey Fishery Board shot five common and three grey seals, according to our licensed quota for each species.

Having operated as a pilot scheme for Scotland for the last five years, the Spey Fishery Board hope that the Moray Firth Seal Management Plan will continue throughout 2010. The Spey Fishery Board is also continuing to support the coordination of the Seal-Salmon Research Programme in collaboration with the Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), the Scottish Government, FRS, SNH and the Atlantic Salmon Trust. As part of this research Spey Fishery Board Bailiffs carry out counts of seals at Spey Bay and have continued to assist the SMRU with the collection of other scientific data.

The Moray Firth Seal Management Plan is available to download here.