Green Around the Gills

"Staniford calls on RSPCA to drop Marine Harvest, Scottish Sea Farms, SSC"

Undercurrent News reported (29 December 2015):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Press Release: "Closing the Net On 'Seal-Friendly' Scottish Salmon"

• Last orders on the RSPCA's abuse of "last resort" killing of seals?

 

 

Download the press release in full as a PDF online here

 

 

Faced with a barrage of negative public disclosures on seal shootings, the Scottish salmon farming industry has finally bitten the bullet and installed anti-predator nets.  Exclusive figures obtained via Freedom of Information from the Scottish Government, reveals that the use of anti-predator nets on salmon farms leapt from 13% in 2011 to 79% in 2014 [1].  At the same time the number of seals killed on salmon farms fell from 241 to 80 [2]. 

 

Read more in today's Herald newspaper: "RSPCA defend record as anti-seal cull campaigners allege salmon farms are not 'last resort' killers"

 

"This could be the final nail in the coffin of 'seal-unfriendly' Scottish salmon," said Don Staniford, Director of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture. "The leap in the use of anti-predator nets shows the power of Freedom of Information and public disclosure. The naming and shaming of companies killing seals has forced the industry to buy nets instead of bullets.  These figures blow out of the water the industry's claim that seals are shot as a 'last resort'.  Even now, one in five salmon farms are still not using anti-predator nets and the use of seal blinds has fallen to less than 18%. Seal-friendly Scottish salmon is within easy reach - it just requires trigger-happy salmon farmers to stop reaching for their guns first! This New Year we're calling last orders on the Scottish salmon farming industry's abuse of the definition of 'last resort' and the senseless slaughter of seals."

 

 

Shamefully, the RSPCA as well as other certification bodies such as the Soil Association and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council sanction the killing of seals as a 'last resort' [3]. The RSPCA brands over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon as 'welfare friendly' via the RSPCA Assured (formerly Freedom Food) scheme (read more via "RSPCA Assured seal killers!").

 

 

 

"The RSPCA, who certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon as 'welfare friendly', must now tighten the net on salmon farms who shoot seals first rather than as a 'last resort'," continued Staniford. "Bullets are clearly cheaper than anti-predator nets but companies such as Grieg have shown that seal-friendly salmon is attainable quickly and painlessly.  Shamefully, Marine Harvest, Scottish Seafarms and the Scottish Salmon Company are still killing seals across Scotland during 2015 and must surely be expelled from the RSPCA Assured scheme.  Until all salmon farms install anti-predator nets and seal blinds consumers should boycott all Scottish salmon."

 

In November, GAAIA wrote to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Dr. Aileen McLeod) and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (Richard Lochhead) asking for clarification on the definition of 'last resort'. "How can the shooting of seals be deemed 'last resort' when all other options have not been tried first?" asked GAAIA [4].

 

In December, GAAIA wrote to Her Majesty the Queen (in her capacity as Royal Patron of the RSPCA), asking her to personally intervene to stop the slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland (read letter online here).

 

 

"For around £1 million the RSPCA has sold their soul to the devil in the shape of the predominantly Norwegian-owned 'Scottish' salmon farming industry," concluded Staniford. "To rank the welfare of foreign-owned and factory farmed Atlantic salmon above wild Scottish seals is ethically and morally bankrupt.  The RSPCA's certification of 'Scottish' salmon as welfare-friendly represents an abrogation of the RSPCA's guiding principles and founding values.  If the RSPCA had any conscience at all about Atlantic salmon then they would not certify the factory farming of a migratory species.  Cramming Atlantic salmon in cages is akin to farming Golden eagles in battery cages like intensively farmed chickens."

 

Watch a video report shot outside the RSPCA's head office earlier this month - online here

 

 

 

Read more via:

• Dear RSPCA, please wash the blood of Scottish seals off your hands!
• Video Message to the RSPCA - stop the killing of seals on salmon farms!
• Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK
• RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting
• RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon

 

 

An exclusive analysis by GAAIA of all the data made available by the Scottish Government (i.e. for the first two quarters of 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011) reveals that nearly 700 seals have been killed by salmon farmers since 2011 when official Scottish Government statistics were first collected. Scottish Seafarms (who exclusively supply Marks & Spencer) are Scotland's worst serial killers with 150 dead seals followed by Grieg Seafood Hjaltland (136 seals killed), the Scottish Salmon Company (128 seals killed) and Marine Harvest (76 seals killed).

 

Read more via:

• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing
• Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say
• Seal killing slips through the net
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• M&S Caught in Cross-Fire Over Seal-Killing on Scottish Salmon Farms
• Stop shooting seals for salmon meals - protest outside M&S in Edinburgh
• Shetland Times: "Steps taken to reduce number of seals killed"
• Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!
• Did a seal die for your salmon meal?
• Cecil the Seal Killers Named & Shamed in Scotland - Call for Boycott of "Seal Unfriendly" Scottish Salmon

 

 

 

Download press release in full (including Notes to Editors) online here

 

"The RSPCA, who certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon as 'welfare friendly', must now tighten the net on salmon farms who shoot seals first rather than as a 'last resort'," continued Staniford. "Bullets are clearly cheaper than anti-predator nets but companies such as Grieg have shown that seal-friendly salmon is attainable quickly and painlessly.  Shamefully, Marine Harvest, Scottish Seafarms and the Scottish Salmon Company are still killing seals across Scotland during 2015 and must surely be expelled from the RSPCA Assured scheme.  Until all salmon farms install anti-predator nets and seal blinds consumers should boycott all Scottish salmon."

 

In November, GAAIA wrote to the Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform (Dr. Aileen McLeod) and Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and Environment (Richard Lochhead) asking for clarification on the definition of 'last resort'. "How can the shooting of seals be deemed 'last resort' when all other options have not been tried first?" asked GAAIA [4].

 

In December, GAAIA wrote to Her Majesty the Queen (in her capacity as Royal Patron of the RSPCA), asking her to personally intervene to stop the slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland (read letter online here).

 

 

"For around £1 million the RSPCA has sold their soul to the devil in the shape of the predominantly Norwegian-owned 'Scottish' salmon farming industry," concluded Staniford. "To rank the welfare of foreign-owned and factory farmed Atlantic salmon above wild Scottish seals is ethically and morally bankrupt.  The RSPCA's certification of 'Scottish' salmon as welfare-friendly represents an abrogation of the RSPCA's guiding principles and founding values.  If the RSPCA had any conscience at all about Atlantic salmon then they would not certify the factory farming of a migratory species.  Cramming Atlantic salmon in cages is akin to farming Golden eagles in battery cages like intensively farmed chickens."

 

Watch a video report shot outside the RSPCA's head office earlier this month - online here

 

 

 

Read more via:

• Dear RSPCA, please wash the blood of Scottish seals off your hands!
• Video Message to the RSPCA - stop the killing of seals on salmon farms!
• Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK
• RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting
• RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon

 

 

An exclusive analysis by GAAIA of all the data made available by the Scottish Government (i.e. for the first two quarters of 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011) reveals that nearly 700 seals have been killed by salmon farmers since 2011 when official Scottish Government statistics were first collected. Scottish Seafarms (who exclusively supply Marks & Spencer) are Scotland's worst serial killers with 150 dead seals followed by Grieg Seafood Hjaltland (136 seals killed), the Scottish Salmon Company (128 seals killed) and Marine Harvest (76 seals killed).

 

Read more via:

• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing
• Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say
• Seal killing slips through the net
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• M&S Caught in Cross-Fire Over Seal-Killing on Scottish Salmon Farms
• Stop shooting seals for salmon meals - protest outside M&S in Edinburgh
• Shetland Times: "Steps taken to reduce number of seals killed"
• Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!
• Did a seal die for your salmon meal?
• Cecil the Seal Killers Named & Shamed in Scotland - Call for Boycott of "Seal Unfriendly" Scottish Salmon

 

 

 

Download press release in full (including Notes to Editors) online here

Herald: "RSPCA defend record as anti-seal cull campaigners allege salmon farms are not 'last resort' killers"

The Herald newspaper reported (29 December 2015):

 

 

 New Marine Scotland figures show the percentage of fish farms that had made use of anti-predator nets, seen as a way of deterring seals, has risen from 13 per cent in 2011/12 to 79 per cent in 2014/2015.

The percentage of those that made use of seal blinds, to prevent seals seeing fish that they can prey on, has fallen from 29 per cent in 2012/13 to 18 per cent in 2014/15.

It has coincided with a decline in the number of seals killed from 241 on 235 individual fish farms in 2011 to some 80 across 214 farms in 2014.

But the latest figures for 2015 show that salmon farming has been responsible for the shooting of 49 seals in the first half of 2015. That's eight more than the same period the last year.

Meanwhile the RSPCA's welfare standards that need to be complied with to become RSPCA approved state: "The repeated shooting of seals without having deployed all of the measures leading to a last resort scenario, will result in the site being suspended from the scheme pending further investigation."

Producers of farmed salmon are issued with licences which allow seals to be shot to protect fish stocks.

Salmon farmers say they sometimes need to kill seals as a last resort to prevent them attacking nets and eating fish. However, campaigners, argue that better nets and 'seal-scarers' should eliminate the need for killing.

The Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture campaign group said in response to the figures: "The leap in use of anti-predator nets shows how easy (albeit expensive) it is to take steps to avoid shooting and killing seals.

"These figures blow out of the water the industry's claim that seals are shot as a 'last resort'. Even now, one in five salmon farms still don't use anti-predator nets.

"The RSPCA, who certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon as 'welfare friendly', must now tighten the net on salmon farms who shoot seals first rather than as a 'last resort'."

The RSPCA insisted it was "equally concerned" about the welfare of all animals whether they be farmed salmon and wild animals such as seals, which may prey upon them.

"The shooting of one seal is still one too many and the RSPCA and its RSPCA Assured scheme are working closely with the Salmon, Aquaculture and Seals Working Group (of which we were founder members) to find further new ways to reduce the use of a lethal method of predator control to zero as soon as practically possible. The group is made up of concerned animal welfarists, salmon farmers, academics specialising in sea mammals and retailers.

"All members of the RSPCA Assured scheme must record and demonstrate that rigorous measures are taken at all times to deter predator attacks on their salmon. These measures must - in accordance with RSPCA standards - focus on physical exclusion, including the proper use of acoustic devices, properly tensioned and weighted nets and the efficient removal of dead and moribund fish from the bottom of the nets.

"However it is a sad reality of salmon farming - as it is with predator attacks on terrestrial livestock farming - that from time to time a determined predator may be able to bypass all efforts to exclude them and attack on the fish. Such attacks can cause serious welfare problems, with potentially hundreds of fish being killed and/or caused great suffering. In these cases, the predator must be dealt with in a humane way by a suitably trained and competent person. This method of control must only be enacted as a last resort.

"RSPCA Assured scheme members must report any incidents of seals being shot to the scheme management within 72 hours.

"If a member of the RSPCA Assured scheme cannot demonstrate that any lethal action was taken only as a last resort, and that all required non-lethal deterrents were in place and fully functional, then the member will automatically be suspended from the scheme."

The Scottish SPCA does not certify salmon farms but its chief superintendent Mike Flynn said: "All non-lethal control measures must be exhausted before any lethal measure is considered.”

 

 

Comments posted after the article included:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

• Dear RSPCA, please wash the blood of Scottish seals off your hands!
• Video Message to the RSPCA - stop the killing of seals on salmon farms!
• Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK
• RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting
• RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon

Dear RSPCA, please wash the blood of Scottish seals off your hands!

 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has sacrificed animal protection for the sake of commercial profit.  RSPCA Assured (formerly Freedom Food) now certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon production and sanction the killing of seals at salmon farms across Scotland (read more via "RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!").   The situation is so shameful that the RSPCA should now be renamed the Royal Seal Culling Association!

 

 

That was the stark message delivered to RSPCA head office yesterday and to Her Majesty the Queen  (as royal patron of the RSPCA) on Wednesday.

 

 

"Over 2,700 people have already signed my petition calling for an end to the killing of seals on RSPCA-certified salmon farms," said Katie Nethercoat who launched an online petition - RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish Seals - in October after an expose on ITV News. "Shame on the RSPCA for sanctioning the slaughter of seals in Scotland.

 

An opinion poll by Metro in October 2015 reported that 87 per cent of people are opposed to the killing of seals on salmon farms.  Seals are one of the most charismatic creatures that we have in the UK and it is great shame to see our British wildlife suffer at the hands of consumerism," continued Nethercoat. "Rather than change the way in which salmon are farmed or work around issues such as wild animals, they are jumping straight to shooting them.  This can't be allowed and it is clear to see that members of the public don't plan on letting it continue."

 

Read more via Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"

 

 

The petition - RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish Seals - was successfully hand-delivered to RSPCA head office yesterday amidst tight security. 

 

 

 

Sussex Police and the RSPCA's own security guards (who outnumbered protestors by 3 to 1!) were on hand to protect the RSPCA building (if only the RSPCA adopted the same level of protection to protect seals from being shot in Scotland!).  Sadly, the RSPCA's acting Chief Executive David Canavan and RSPCA Assured staff refused a request for a meeting and have stubb0rnly refused to change the RSPCA's lethal policy on seal shooting at salmon farms in Scotland.

 

 

The petition was accepted by the RSPCA's building manager who refused to answer questions about why the RSPCA sanctions the killing of seals on salmon farms.

 

 

 

"By endorsing the shooting of lactating seals by salmon farms off islands like Gometra, and leaving the pups to starve, RSPCA betrays its core mission and its core supporters," said Roc Sandford, owner of the Island of Gometra (scene of the shooting of five seals in January 2015).  "The RSPCA try to represent this as a last resort, but how can it be a last resort when relocation away from seal colonies, anti-predator nets and seal blinds have been delivered in so few of the thousands of salmon cages littering  Scotland’s seas?  RSPCA's mission is too important to be compromised by double standards." 

 

 

 

Watch video reports shot yesterday during our visit to RSPCA head office in Horsham, West Sussex.

 

Watch online here

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

"When you buy Scottish salmon, including salmon carrying the RSPCA logo, you pay for bullets to shoot seals," said John Robins of Animal Concern in a press release. "My message to the RSPCA is ‘Just say no - stop your farmers killing seals’. The RSPCA could give seals the perfect Christmas present – they could give them the gift of life by banning seal shooting at RSPCA assured salmon farms. RSPCA chiefs have to decide who they represent; seal-shooting multinationals or the animals they persecute."

 

 

"Supermarkets have the power to stop seals being shot simply by telling their suppliers to install predator exclusion nets," continued Robins. "The RSPCA could do the same with RSPCA Assured salmon farms. Until they do so our main weapon is for people to stop buying Scottish salmon. This is especially important at this time of year when salmon sales rise over Christmas and New Year. If you don’t want to pay for bullets to shoot seals don’t buy Scottish salmon. It’s as simple as that."

 

 

 

Here's some of the comments posted with the petition delivered yesterday to the RSPCA:

 

"I don't understand how a Society can claim to be preventing cruelty to animals while supporting the killing of them so that humans can take their food." (Roberta Balfour, Malvern)

"The true price of salmon according to the RSPCA is a dead seal. Protect our seals from this needless slaughter." (Ross Flett, Orkney)

"The RSPCA should be protecting seals ... simples .. not business profits ££££££££" (Jackie Legg, Cheshire)

"WTF ... Can't believe an organisation I've supported for more years than i care to remember is part of the problem rather than the solution. What's the point of supporting your wildlife rehabilitation centres nursing seals back to health if you're going to endorse Scottish salmon farmers shooting them?" (Phil Irving, Dereham)

"It is shameful that the RSPCA supports the killing of Scottish seals to placate fish farmers. Clearly the RSPCA has no conscience when it comes to wildlife and not even a nodding acquaintance with the important role seals play in the marine ecosystem. You must withdraw your support immediately." (Bridget Curran, Halifax)

"RSPCA, how is killing our native wildlife for the sake of unnatural fish stocks serving your purpose of preventing cruelty to animals?" (Paula Andrews, Sutton-in-Ashfield)

"The RSPCA should be about protecting seals not killing them. But then there would be no money in that." (Ian Cooke, Crewe)

"Disgusting - they are meant to protect animals, not kill them!" (Ruhee Baltz, Surrey)

"Seals have the right to live - stop killing them and protect them instead!" (Maggie Dunn, Sherborne)

"This is utterly hypocritical.  How on earth can the RSP of CRUELTY TO ANIMALS condone intensive farming of salmon and the shooting of seals?  It's insane." (Duncan Steedman, Broadford)

 

 

Read more comments via Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!

 

 

A letter was also delivered to Her Majesty the Queen on Wednesday (9 December) at her Buckingham Palace residence in London. 

 

 

"As Royal patron of the RSPCA (who certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon via the RSPCA Assured scheme which sanctions the killing of seals), you have the blood of dozens if not hundreds of seals on your hands," stated the letter.

 

 

"Your Majesty may not be personally pulling the trigger or loading the bullets but your royal patronage of the RSPCA is endorsing the bloody slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland."

 

 

 

The letter (read in full online here) was accepted on behalf of her private secretary who pledged to deliver it to Her Majesty.

 

 

Read more via Letter to Her Majesty the Queen

 

 

The RSPCA have blood on their hands for certifying seal-killing salmon farms as 'welfare friendly'," said Don Staniford, Director of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture in a press release.  "The next time you're in a supermarket and see the 'RSPCA Assured' logo on a packet of salmon please give it the seal of disapproval. Until the RSPCA pledges to stop the slaughter the only sure-fire way of protecting seals is to boycott all Scottish salmon. Consumers have the power this Xmas to force a change in policy at the RSPCA - if nobody buys RSPCA Assured Scottish salmon then the killing of seals would be stopped dead in its tracks. The RSPCA Council should listen to public opinion and introduce a seal cease-fire."

 

 

"The public may be shocked to learn that over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon is already certified by RSPCA Assured who earn hundreds of thousands of pounds from certification," continued Staniford. "Help save seals by hitting the RSPCA where it hurts - in the pockets. The message is simple - stop shooting seals for salmon meals!"

 

 

GAAIA wrote to the RSPCA on 23 November 2015 re-iterating the question: "Will the RSPCA finally pledge to stop certifying seal-killing salmon farms?"  Until the RSPCA reverses their policy of sanctioning the killing of seals, their reputation lies in tatters.

 

 

 

Until the RSPCA listen to common sense and public opinion, please sign and share the petition: RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish Seals

 

 

 

Read more via:

• Video Message to the RSPCA - stop the killing of seals on salmon farms!
• Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• Video Reports from London
• Photos: Her Majesty the Queen visit
• Photos: Supermarket protest in London!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!

 

Download High Res images via:

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?"

"Farmed salmon: sealed with a kiss of death"

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals"

"M&S: Seal Killers"

"Scottish Seal Killers"

"The Scottish Seal Killers"

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers"

"RSPCA as the Royal $eal Culling Association"

"Salmon farming kills seals"

"Salmon farming: licensed to kill"

"Salmon farming is the smoking gun"

Video Message to the RSPCA - stop the killing of seals on salmon farms!

Here's video reports from today's protest outside (a very windy) RSPCA's head office in Horsham, West Sussex:

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

Read more via:

• Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!
• Video Reports from London
• Photos: Her Majesty the Queen visit
• Photos: Supermarket protest in London!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• "Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say"

Photos: RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!

 

 

Here's photos from our visit to the RSPCA head office in Horsham, West Sussex earlier today (10 December) - please sign the petition - "RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish Seals" - we delivered:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

 

• Video Reports from London
• Photos: Her Majesty the Queen visit
• Photos: Supermarket protest in London!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• "Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say"

 

Video Reports from London

Here's video reports from our protests in London (9 December 2015):

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

 

 

 

Watch online here

 

 

Read more via:

 

• Photos: Her Majesty tthe Queen visit
• Photos: Supermarket protest in London!
• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• "Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say"
• Press Release: "Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing"

 

Photos: Her Majesty the Queen visit

Here's photos from our visit to Buckingham Palace in London to deliver a letter to Her Majesty the Queen (9 December) - imploring her to intervene (as royal patron of the RSPCA) to stop the killing of seals on salmon farms in Scotland:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High res images available - please email dstaniford@gaaia.org

 

Read more via:

 

• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen

 

Photos: Supermarket protest in London!

Here's photos from our protests outside M&S, Selfridges, Yo Sushi and Tesco in London (9 December)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

High res images are available on request - please email dstaniford@gaaia.org

 

More photos:

London protest in 2013 online here

Edinburgh protest in 2015 online here

 

Read more via:

• "Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"
• Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!
• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• "Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say"
• Press Release: "Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing"
• Sunday Times: "Seal killing slips through the net"
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!

"Anti-salmon farm campaigners petition Queen over RSPCA’s seal-shooting sanction"

Undercurrent News reported (9 December 2015):

 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is coming under hostile fire for "sanctioning the slaughter of seals" at salmon farms across Scotland, claimed the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA).

 

On Dec. 10 a petition calling for a cease-fire on salmon farms certified by the RSPCA will be delivered to the organization's head office in Horsham, West Sussex.

 

Campaigners are calling for a boycott of all Scottish farmed salmon, over 70% of which is certified via the RSPCA Assured scheme, which GAAIA says condones the killing of seals.

 

Supermarkets selling "seal-unfriendly" salmon will continue to be targeted by protestors dressed as seals, including a demo outside Marks and Spencer and Selfridges on Oxford/Orchard Street in Central London, on Dec. 9.

 

A letter addressed to the Queen of England, as royal patron of the RSPCA, will also be delivered to Buckingham Palace.

 

"Over 2,700 people have already signed my petition calling for an end to the killing of seals on RSPCA-certified salmon farms," said Katie Nethercoat, who launched an online petition in October after an expose on ITV News.

 

"Shame on the RSPCA for sanctioning the slaughter of seals in Scotland. An opinion poll by Metro in October 2015 reported that 87% of people are opposed to the killing of seals on salmon farms."

 

"The RSPCA could give seals the perfect Christmas present – they could give them the gift of life by banning seal shooting at RSPCA assured salmon farms," said John Robins of Animal Concern. "RSPCA chiefs have to decide who they represent; seal-shooting multinationals or the animals they persecute."

 

"The RSPCA have blood on their hands for certifying seal-killing salmon farms as 'welfare friendly'," said Don Staniford, director of GAAIA. "The next time you're in a supermarket and see the 'RSPCA Assured' logo on a packet of salmon please give it the seal of disapproval. Until the RSPCA pledges to stop the slaughter the only sure-fire way of protecting seals is to boycott all Scottish salmon."

 

As well as writing to the Queen, GAAIA also copied the letter to vice-presidents of the RSPCA -- including Brian Blessed, Chris Packham, Brian May, Bill Oddie and Dr. Caroline Lucas MP -- asking them to support a seal cease-fire on salmon farms.

 

Read more via:

• Protesters target Marks and Spencer over seals killed at salmon farms
• More protests coming over Scottish salmon farmers’ seal shooting
• UK salmon farmers under pressure over seal shooting

Petition to the RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals!

Here's comments and signatures from the petition: "RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish seals":

 

 

 

"I don't understand how a Society can claim to be preventing cruelty to animals while supporting the killing of them so that humans can take their food." (Roberta Balfour, Malvern)

"The true price of salmon according to the RSPCA is a dead seal. Protect our seals from this needless slaughter." (Ross Flett, Orkney)

"The RSPCA should be protecting seals ... simples .. not business profits ££££££££" (Jackie Legg, Cheshire)

"WTF ... Can't believe an organisation I've supported for more years than i care to remember is part of the problem rather than the solution. What's the point of supporting your wildlife rehabilitation centres nursing seals back to health if you're going to endorse Scottish salmon farmers shooting them?" (Phil Irving, Dereham)

"It is shameful that the RSPCA supports the killing of Scottish seals to placate fish farmers. Clearly the RSPCA has no conscience when it comes to wildlife and not even a nodding acquaintance with the important role seals play in the marine ecosystem. You must withdraw your support immediately." (Bridget Curran, Halifax)

"RSPCA, how is killing our native wildlife for the sake of unnatural fish stocks serving your purpose of preventing cruelty to animals?" (Paula Andrews, Sutton-in-Ashfield)

"The RSPCA should be about protecting seals not killing them. But then there would be no money in that." (Ian Cooke, Crewe)

"Disgusting - they are meant to protect animals, not kill them!" (Ruhee Baltz, Surrey)

"Seals have the right to live - stop killing them and protect them instead!" (Maggie Dunn, Sherborne)

"This is utterly hypocritical.  How on earth can the RSP of CRUELTY TO ANIMALS condone intensive farming of salmon and the shooting of seals?  It's insane." (Duncan Steedman, Broadford)

"Shooting and maiming these seals just to maintain profits of a nasty, harmful and environmentally damaging enterprise. If these farms continue to exist then they should use humane, non-lethal measures to prevent seal incursions - created by the existence of these farms in the first place. Very, very negative for the RSPCA" (David Grimsell, Lampeter)

"I would rather see living seals, than eat farmed salmon. People need educating about farmed salmon, and the effects of it on the wildlife." (Tracy Sanderson, Dovercourt)

"This is one of the reasons why I stopped donating to the RSPCA" (Stephen Dann, Ipswich)

"The RSPCA has lost its credibility as well as its compassion. Shame on them!" (Eleanor Skuse, Beaworthy)

"Enough of animal charities supporting animal abuse." (Barnara Pertin, London)

"This really is a bad decision and I cannot imagine why the RSPCA would have taken it?" (Jill Spicy, Lowestoft)

"I am disgusted that the RSPCA support the slaughter of our beautiful wildlife. I know the greed of the farms makes it attractive to them but why do the RSPCA support the killing???" (Marc Herridge, Orphir)

"It's disgusting! Stop buying Scottish salmon until this is stopped!" (Dawn Stemp, Bracknell)

"Killing seals to support the Farmed Salmon industry is wrong on all counts. It's cruel to farmed salmon and humans don't NEED to eat salmon to survive. Seals DO." (S HayShea, Kirkcaldy)

"If you put a fish farm in the seals environment they are going to try to feed on them. It is the responsibility of the fish farmers to make the pens that the fish are kept in, secure enough to keep the seals out. If you put a chocolate factory in a children's playground, would you support killing the kids who tried to eat it?" (Chris Fryatt, Wimborne Minster)

"RSPCA should not be giving these murderers their blessing." (Steve Trewhella, Wareham)

"Disgusted this is happening to supply the rich in restaurants in London. Farm salmon is not natural. Seals have been living of them for years, stop killing them!!!" (De McMillan, Renfrewshire)

"I am disgusted that seals are being killed in Scotland to preserve fish stocks for human beings! If the RSPCA don't act to stop it I will stop donating until they do!" (Jane Hitchman, Swansea)

"I donate each month to STOP cruelty to animals." (June Levitt, Milton Keynes)

"Ludicrous ludicrous ludicrous! RSPCA do what you're supposed to do and PROTECT the animals. It's their environment not ours." (Vicky Steed, Cambridge)

"Protect what is left of our wild life. Stop the killing for commercial reasons. Disgrace." (Jenny Hooper, Pinner)

"Stop the killing and RSPCA stop supporting the killers." (Virginia Jacques, Attleborough)

"RSPCA the world is watching you. STOP killing Scottish seals." (Liz Tuddenham, Norwich)

"Disgraceful behaviour by an organisation that millions of people rely on to maintain the highest standards of animal welfare." (Blue Planet Society, Bournemouth)

"The RSPCA are selective as to which animals they protect, I've become very disillusioned with them lately!" (Vanessa Lord, Hove)

"You are supposed to protect all animals." (Anne Eales, Chard)

"No more donations to the RSPCA until this is ended!!" (Nick White, Barnstaple)

"You cannot support the killings. The sea is THEIR home. I am disgusted with all the organisations who support salmon farms. They are a blot on what should be a beautiful landscape, infecting, killing & destroying the seas in & around Scotland. Factory farming of this fish is NO different to chickens, calves, lambs. SO why are you supporting these filthy places!!!!!!!?" (Jacqui Jenner, Suffolk)

"The killing of wild animals for profit should not be allowed. RSPCA are a disgrace." (Victor Beattie, Aberdeen)

"These mammals should not be shot in the interest of protecting profits for businesses. Especially when the business is being conducted in the seals natural environment." (Lee Watson, Peterhead)

"Seals should be allowed to occupy their natural habitat without interference." (Bernice Cullimore, Grantham)

"No wonder less and less people donate to you...you fail to protect animals and are actually complicit in animal abuse." (Elizabeth Green, Streetly)

"How can an organisation like the RSPCA support such callous cruelty? Pups starving because their parents have been shot, and for what ? Greedy salmon farmers. Please withdraw your support or I shall withdraw my belief and support for the RSPCA." (John Brownjohn, Netherbury)

"DISGUSTING!!.....I won't be giving money to you to murder innocent animals." (Sharon Goldberg, Somerset)

"Disgraceful. This support for the culling of seals is entirely unacceptable. End this now!" (Sonia Bryan, London)

 

 

Read all comments online here

 

 

Read more via:

 

• Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"
• Letter to Her Majesty the Queen
• Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!
• "Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say"
• Press Release: "Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing"
• Sunday Times: "Seal killing slips through the net"
• RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!

 

Press Release: "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"

[Download press release as a PDF online via RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland - Over 70% of Lethal Scottish Salmon Certified as 'RSPCA Assured']

 

 

The Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is coming under hostile fire for sanctioning the slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland. On Thursday (10 December), a petition calling for a cease-fire on salmon farms certified by the RSPCA will be delivered to the RSPCA's head office in Horsham, West Sussex.

 

Campaigners are calling for a boycott of all Scottish farmed salmon - over 70% of which is certified via the RSPCA Assured scheme which condones the killing of seals. Supermarkets selling 'seal-unfriendly' salmon will be targeted by protestors dressed as seals - including a demo outside M&S and Selfridges on Oxford/Orchard Street in Central London tomorrow (9 December). A letter addressed to Her Majesty the Queen, as royal patron of the RSPCA, will also be delivered to Buckingham Palace (read more details online here).    

 

"Over 2,700 people have already signed my petition calling for an end to the killing of seals on RSPCA-certified salmon farms," said Katie Nethercoat who launched an online petition - RSPCA: End your support for the killing of Scottish Seals - in October after an expose on ITV News. "Shame on the RSPCA for sanctioning the slaughter of seals in Scotland.

 

 

An opinion poll by Metro in October 2015 reported that 87 per cent of people are opposed to the killing of seals on salmon farms."

 

 

"Seals are one of the most charismatic creatures that we have in the UK and it is great shame to see our British wildlife suffer at the hands of consumerism," continued Nethercoat. "Rather than change the way in which salmon are farmed or work around issues such as wild animals, they are jumping straight to shooting them.  This can't be allowed and it is clear to see that members of the public don't plan on letting it continue."

 

 

 

Another opinion poll conducted in 2009 revealed that the majority of people in the UK believed that supermarkets should refuse to buy farmed salmon from companies which kill seals.

 

"When you buy Scottish salmon, including salmon carrying the RSPCA logo, you pay for bullets to shoot seals," said John Robins of Animal Concern. "My message to the RSPCA is ‘Just say no - stop your farmers killing seals’. The RSPCA could give seals the perfect Christmas present – they could give them the gift of life by banning seal shooting at RSPCA assured salmon farms. RSPCA chiefs have to decide who they represent; seal-shooting multinationals or the animals they persecute."

 

 

"Supermarkets have the power to stop seals being shot simply by telling their suppliers to install predator exclusion nets," continued Robins. "The RSPCA could do the same with RSPCA Assured salmon farms. Until they do so our main weapon is for people to stop buying Scottish salmon. This is especially important at this time of year when salmon sales rise over Christmas and New Year. If you don’t want to pay for bullets to shoot seals don’t buy Scottish salmon. It’s as simple as that."

 

Animal Concern wrote to the CEO's of supermarkets in the UK yesterday (7 December) - including: "Another myth perpetuated by the Scottish Government, the salmon farming industry, most retailers and even the RSPCA Assured scheme is that seals are only shot as a last resort after all non-lethal alternatives have been exhausted. If only circa 15% of salmon farms are using predator exclusion nets 85% of salmon farms are not shooting seals as a last resort." (Read the letter in full online here).

 

GAAIA believes that the R$PCA sacrificed protection for profit a long time ago. It is understood that each salmon farm certified under the R$PCA Assured scheme pays several thousand pounds therefore raking in hundreds of thousands of pounds for the R$PCA!

 

 

 

Ker-ching - that's the sounds of the RSPCA's cash register as dozens of Scottish salmon farms have rushed to be certified as 'welfare-friendly' since 2002. In fact, over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon is now certified as "welfare-friendly" via the RSPCA Assured scheme (formerly Freedom Food). Since there were 260 salmon farms in 2014 (the latest government survey available) that could mean over 180 RSPCA Assured salmon farms in Scotland.

 

 

 

The trigger-happy stance of the RSPCA is unsurprising given the make-up of their technical advisory group which includes a who's who of salmon farming's serial seal killers - including Marine Harvest, Scottish Seafarms and the Scottish Salmon Company (the biggest killers in 2015):

 

 

 

"The RSPCA have blood on their hands for certifying seal-killing salmon farms as 'welfare friendly'," said Don Staniford, Director of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture. "The next time you're in a supermarket and see the 'RSPCA Assured' logo on a packet of salmon please give it the seal of disapproval. Until the RSPCA pledges to stop the slaughter the only sure-fire way of protecting seals is to boycott all Scottish salmon. Consumers have the power this Xmas to force a change in policy at the RSPCA - if nobody buys RSPCA Assured Scottish salmon then the killing of seals would be stopped dead in its tracks. The RSPCA Council should listen to public opinion and introduce a seal cease-fire."

 

[Photo by Colin McPherson - download high res image online here]

 

 

"The public may be shocked to learn that over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon is already certified by RSPCA Assured who earn hundreds of thousands of pounds from certification," continued Staniford. "Help save seals by hitting the RSPCA where it hurts - in the pockets. The message is simple - stop shooting seals for salmon meals!"

 

 

 

GAAIA wrote to the RSPCA on 23 November 2015 re-iterating the question:

Will the RSPCA finally pledge to stop certifying seal-killing salmon farms? 

 

 

 

Download the letter in full as a PDF online here

 

The RSPCA's acting Chief Executive David Canavan initially agreed to meet with GAAIA at the RSPCA head office in Horsham on 10 December but now appears to have backed out.

 

Yesterday (7 December), GAAIA wrote to Her Majesty the Queen (as Patron of the RSPCA) asking her to personally intervene to stop the slaughter of seals in Scotland. GAAIA also copied the letter to Vice-presidents of the RSPCA - including Brian Blessed, Chris Packham, Brian May, Bill Oddie and Dr. Caroline Lucas MP - asking them to support a seal cease-fire on salmon farms (read the letter in full online here). The letter was also copied to RSPCA supporter and Coronation Street actress Helen Worth (who recently showed her support for seals). GAAIA will be hand-delivering the letter to Her Majesty the Queen tomorrow (9 December) at Buckingham Palace in London (read letter online here).

 

GAAIA wrote to supermarkets on 30 November 2015 asking for a public pledge to stop sourcing from seal-killing salmon farms. "Will you give seals are early Christmas present by pledging to introduce a cease-fire?" asked the letter (read in full online here).

 

Here's replies from M&S, Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Aldi:

 

"According to the Scottish Government, the number of seals shot by salmon farms had decreased 66 per cent between 2011 and 2014 and is to be used only as a last resort. Our supplier has worked closely with a number of seal protection bodies to develop non-lethal ways of reducing seal attraction to our sites, including investment in acoustic deterrent devices and the addition of extra weights at the bottom of the nets to ensure the side walls are kept rigid." (M&S, 4 December 2015)

 

"In line with the industry’s code of practice, we expect all of our RSPCA Freedom Food approved salmon farms to use suitable and humane means to deter predators and protect the welfare of our salmon. Farmers have a duty (under the provisions of The Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006) to protect fish from harm and unnecessary suffering. Only in extreme circumstances, and as a last resort, should any other measure be considered to protect fish from predators." (Co-op, 1 December 2015)

 

"Our salmon farmers work to exclude and deter seals from their farms. This is managed under the Code of Practice on Predator Control and their Environmental Management Systems.  If, after adhering to these guidelines they are still failing to keep a seal at bay, shooting a seal may be undertaken only as a last resort, in keeping with the legislative requirement of the Conservation of Seals Act 1970.  One rogue seal damaging the pen can cause the loss of several thousand fish in one go. Seals often take a single bite from each fish and attacks can affect many thousands of fish. Even those not directly attacked can become stressed and succumb in the days after." (Tesco, 1 December 2015)

 

"All of our Atlantic salmon is responsibly sourced and is grown on Freedom Food approved sites located on the west coast and islands of Scotland. Our farms use both well tensioned nets and acoustic deterrent devices to deter predatory seals.  We don't use external predator nets on our farms due to issues with reduction of water exchange which could potentially compromise the welfare of the fish.  The nets also have the possibility to cause unintentional harm to some animals such as birds and seals which can become entangled in the mesh. Here at Sainsbury’s we're always striving to tackle the issue of seal interaction on salmon farms and we're confident that there are no other retailers who have more commitment to continually improve exclusion and deterrent methods than us. Working with various animal welfare groups including the Seal Protection Action Group, the RSPCA (with their Freedom Food label) and the Sea Mammal Research Unit at St Andrews University we've established the Salmon, Aquaculture and Seals Working Group (SASWG). With our supplier also being a member of this group we aim to drive through continuous improvements regarding this issue through both innovation and understanding. We've a long-standing commitment to animal welfare and we share the same concerns as our customers.  We'll continue to work hard to protect seals and other animals which come into contact with our farms as well as working with these welfare groups to make sure the farms maintain our high standards." (Sainsbury's, 1 December 2015)

 

"We source our supplies in line with our animal welfare policy. I have attached a link to our corporate responsibility website for your consideration." (Aldi, 30 November 2015)

 

As of 7 December 2015, no replies were received from ASDA, Iceland, Lidl, Morrisons, Selfridges or Waitrose. 

 

Read the press release in full online via RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland - Over 70% of Lethal Scottish Salmon Certified as 'RSPCA Assured'

 

 

Read more via:

"Letter to Her Majesty the Queen" (7 December 2015)

"Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!" (1 December 2015)

"Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing" (29 November 2015)

"Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say" (29 November 2015)

"Seal killing slips through the net" (29 November 2015)

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!" (23 November 2015)

"M&S Caught in Cross-Fire Over Seal-Killing on Scottish Salmon Farms" (2 November 2015)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals - protest outside M&S in Edinburgh" (30 October 2015)

"Shetland Times: "Steps taken to reduce number of seals killed"" (25 October)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!" (22 October 2015)

"RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK" (11 October 2015)

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon" (9 October 2015)

"Seal Protection Action Group: Dependent seal pups are left to starve if their mothers are shot" (9 October 2015)

"Salmon farmers under fire for shooting seals" (8 October 2015)

"Seals in Shetland are getting into deep water with the salmon industry" (8 October 2015)

"Fury over seals shot dead at M&S salmon farms: Humane 'predator-proof' nets can be installed but are expensive" (5 September 2015)

"Shetland fish farms top seal shooting list" (3 September 2015)

"Mapped: every Scottish salmon farm that shot seals" (2 September 2015)

"UK retailers may face ‘zombie seal’ protests over farmed salmon" (2 September 2015)

"Marks & Spencer faces threat of 'zombie seal' protests over links to salmon farm with worst culling record" (1 September 2015)

"Anti-fish farm campaigners propose boycott to defend seals" (1 September 2015)

"M&S salmon supplier comes off worst as Scottish gov’t names seal shooting farmers" (31 August 2015)

"Seal shooting figures released after campaign by animal rights activists" (30 August 2015)

"Figures reveal salmon farms that shoot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Named and shamed: the Scottish salmon farms shooting seals" (30 August 2015)

"Data reveals third of Scots fish farms have shot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Cecil the Seal Killers Named & Shamed in Scotland - Call for Boycott of "Seal Unfriendly" Scottish Salmon" (30 August 2015)

"Media Splash for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms!" (8 July 2015)

"VICTORY: Disclosure of Seal-Killing Salmon Farm Data Ordered by 21 August" (7 July 2015)

"Landmark Rulings on Seal-Killing Salmon Farms - Scottish Information Commissioner to publish decisions this afternoon" (7 July 2015)

"D Day for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms" (6 July 2015)

"Mass seal slaughter as RSPCA opts to protect fish farms" (13 April 2015)

"Scottish Salmon's Secret Seal Killers! - FOI refusal prompts call for boycott of farmed salmon" (24 August 2014)

 

For more information please see GAAIA's "The Killing Farms"

Letter to Her Majesty the Queen

[Newspaper headline from The Sunday Express in 2005]

 

 

The Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA) has written to Her Majesty the Queen imploring her to intervene to end the slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland.   The letter (from Don Staniford as Director of GAAIA) states:

 

"As Royal patron of the RSPCA (who certify over 70% of Scottish farmed salmon via the RSPCA Assured scheme which sanctions the killing of seals), you have the blood of dozens if not hundreds of seals on your hands," states the letter.

 

An exclusive analysis by GAAIA of all the data made available by the Scottish Government (i.e. for the first two quarters of 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011) reveals that nearly 700 seals have been killed by salmon farmers since 2011 when official Scottish Government statistics were first collected. Scottish Seafarms (who exclusively supply Marks & Spencer) are Scotland's worst serial killers with 150 dead seals followed by Grieg Seafood Hjaltland (136 seals killed), the Scottish Salmon Company (128 seals killed) and Marine Harvest (76 seals killed).

For a full list of the 51 seals killed during the first seven months of 2015 please read online here. The worst companies were Marine Harvest with 15 seals killed, Scottish Seafarms with 12 seals killed and the Scottish Salmon Company with 11 seals killed.  

The two worst sites during 2015 - both slaughtering five seals - were Gometra, Isle of Mull (The Scottish Salmon Company) and Sconser, Isle of Skye (Marine Harvest). Other salmon farms killing more than two seals were Toyness, Orkney (Scottish Seafarms) with four seals killed and Invasion Bay, Loch Sunart (Marine Harvest) and Shuna Sound (Marine Harvest) where three seals were killed.

Please read more via "RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!" and "Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!". For more background on this shameful issue please read GAAIA's other letters to the RSPCA (letter of 23 November 2015; letter of 30 August 2015 and letter of July 2012)."

 

 

Given RSPCA Assured's 'shoot-to-kill' policy on salmon farms, the RSPCA should be renamed the Royal Seal Culling Association! 

 

 

 

Do you know how many of the nearly 700 seals killed at Scottish salmon farms since 2011 were sanctioned via the RSPCA's certification scheme?

 

Sadly, the RSPCA refuse to disclose the figures. Freedom Food (since re-branded as RSPCA Assured) told GAAIA in January 2015:

"Approximately 70 per cent of farmed Scottish Salmon is produced under Freedom Food.  You will appreciate that due to data protection, we are unable to provide you with a list of Freedom Food approved salmon members. The number of seals shot on our farms, as a last resort, has significantly reduced over the last seven years and continues to do so year on year. We are unable to disclose the figures as they are submitted to us by our members, in confidence, for the benefit of developing the scheme."

 

Perhaps the RSPCA will give Your Majesty the damning data and you can pass it onto the general public via your Christmas message this year?

Please note that the number of seals being killed is increasing whilst the use of predator control methods is still woefully low. The Herald reported in October 2015 that the number of seals killed on Scottish salmon farms has leapt by 20 per cent.

According to the Scottish Government, 80% of salmon farms in Scotland still do not use anti-predator nets and 67% do not use seal blinds despite claims that seals are only shot as a 'last resort'.  Read more in The Sunday Times via: "Seal killing slips through the net".

 

"I am pleased to support those campaigning for an end to seal deaths," said Alison Johnstone, Member of the Scottish Parliament, who joined a protest outside M&S in Edinburgh in October 2015.  "People buying farmed salmon in Scotland will be appalled to learn that there is no requirement on salmon producers to have nets to deter seals.  If those making vast profits from salmon sales aren’t prepared to invest in this preventative measure, they cannot claim that shooting a seal is a last resort.  It is a lazy, greedy response that contradicts the image the producers and our supermarkets seek to promote and it has to stop."

 

[Protestors including Alison Johnstone MSP handing out leaflets outside M&S in Edinburgh: photo by Colin McPherson - download high res image online here]

 

Please also note that later this week GAAIA is organising protests outside supermarkets in London (9 December) and outside the RSPCA's head office in Horsham (10 December) - details online here.

 

 

 

The message from both seals and protestors is simple: Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!

 

 

 

Will Your Majesty give seals are early Christmas present by pledging to introduce a cease-fire on RSPCA-certified salmon farms? Or will you continue to sanction the slaughter and allow yourself to be drenched in the blood of Scottish seals?  

 

 

Your Majesty may not be personally pulling the trigger or loading the bullets but your royal patronage of the RSPCA is endorsing the bloody slaughter of seals at salmon farms across Scotland.

 

For more information on this controversial issue please visit GAAIA's web-page: "The Killing Farms"

 

If you would like to meet to discuss this issue please note that GAAIA will be hand-delivering this letter to Buckingham Palace on Wednesday (9 December). I would be only too happy to brief you in person. If you have time to meet please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Finally, I implore you to do everything in your power to end the RSPCA's lethal policy. I have copied into this letter the RSPCA's Honorary vice-presidents; Vice-presidents and RSPCA Council in the hope that animal protection rather than commercial profit can be the RSPCA's guiding philosophy once again. The RSPCA's founding fathers including William Wilberforce and Rev. Arthur Broome as well as Queen Victoria (who granted royal patronage in 1840) are surely turning in their grave at the RSPCA's shameful policy of killing seals.  

 

With greatest respect,

 

 

 

Don Staniford

Director of the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture

Contact: dstaniford@gaaia.org

 

 

Cc:

Honorary vice-presidents
Baroness Fookes of Plymouth DBE
Prof. Peter Singer
Rt. Rev. Dominic Walker

Vice-presidents of the RSPCA:

Brian Blessed
Caroline Dinenage MP
Richard Howitt MEP
Bill Jordan
Satish Kumar
Dr Caroline Lucas MP
Brian May
Bill Oddie
Chris Packham
Baroness Parminter
Julian Richer
Cllr Imogen Walker

RSPCA Council:

Mrs Margaret Baker

Mr Paul Baxter

Mr Robert Baylis

Mr Tim Bray FCA

Ms Karen Harley

Mr Ray Ings

Mr Christopher Laurence

Dr Dan Lyons

Mr David Mawson

Mr Jo Piccioni

Miss Jean Reid

Ms Linda Rimington

Dr Richard Ryder

Mrs Christina Tomlinson

Mr Michael Tomlinson

Ms Jane Tredgett

Mrs Peta Watson-Smith

RSPCA supporter and Coronation Street Actress Helen Worth

 

 

Download the letter to Her Majesty the Queen as a PDF online here

 

 

Download High Res images via:

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?"

"Farmed salmon: sealed with a kiss of death"

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals"

"M&S: Seal Killers"

"Scottish Seal Killers"

"The Scottish Seal Killers"

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers"

"RSPCA as the Royal $eal Culling Association"

"Salmon farming kills seals"

"Salmon farming: licensed to kill"

"Salmon farming is the smoking gun"

 

 

For more background please read:

 

"Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!" (1 December 2015)

"Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing" (29 November 2015)

"Salmon farmers are shooting seals instead of installing non-lethal deterrents, campaigners say" (29 November 2015)

"Seal killing slips through the net" (29 November 2015)

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!" (23 November 2015)

"M&S Caught in Cross-Fire Over Seal-Killing on Scottish Salmon Farms" (2 November 2015)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals - protest outside M&S in Edinburgh" (30 October 2015)

"Shetland Times: "Steps taken to reduce number of seals killed"" (25 October)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!" (22 October 2015)

"RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK" (11 October 2015)

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon" (9 October 2015)

"Seal Protection Action Group: Dependent seal pups are left to starve if their mothers are shot" (9 October 2015)

"Salmon farmers under fire for shooting seals" (8 October 2015)

"Seals in Shetland are getting into deep water with the salmon industry" (8 October 2015)

"Fury over seals shot dead at M&S salmon farms: Humane 'predator-proof' nets can be installed but are expensive" (5 September 2015)

"Shetland fish farms top seal shooting list" (3 September 2015)

"Mapped: every Scottish salmon farm that shot seals" (2 September 2015)

"UK retailers may face ‘zombie seal’ protests over farmed salmon" (2 September 2015)

"Marks & Spencer faces threat of 'zombie seal' protests over links to salmon farm with worst culling record" (1 September 2015)

"Anti-fish farm campaigners propose boycott to defend seals" (1 September 2015)

"M&S salmon supplier comes off worst as Scottish gov’t names seal shooting farmers" (31 August 2015)

"Seal shooting figures released after campaign by animal rights activists" (30 August 2015)

"Figures reveal salmon farms that shoot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Named and shamed: the Scottish salmon farms shooting seals" (30 August 2015)

"Data reveals third of Scots fish farms have shot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Cecil the Seal Killers Named & Shamed in Scotland - Call for Boycott of "Seal Unfriendly" Scottish Salmon" (30 August 2015)

"Media Splash for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms!" (8 July 2015)

"VICTORY: Disclosure of Seal-Killing Salmon Farm Data Ordered by 21 August" (7 July 2015)

"Landmark Rulings on Seal-Killing Salmon Farms - Scottish Information Commissioner to publish decisions this afternoon" (7 July 2015)

"D Day for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms" (6 July 2015)

"Mass seal slaughter as RSPCA opts to protect fish farms" (13 April 2015)

"Scottish Salmon's Secret Seal Killers! - FOI refusal prompts call for boycott of farmed salmon" (24 August 2014)

 

 

For more information please see GAAIA's "The Killing Farms"

 

 

 

Read a press release (Embargoed until 8 December 2015) online via "RSPCA Savaged Over Seal Killing in Scotland"

Supermarkets: Stop Killing Seals at Salmon Farms!

 

In the run up to Xmas, the Global Alliance Against Industrial Aquaculture (GAAIA) is organising protests outside supermarkets in London (9 December) and outside the RSPCA's head office in Horsham, West Sussex (10 December) - details online here.   Please join us and share on Facebook!

 

 

Yesterday (30 November), GAAIA wrote to retailers across the UK asking the simple question:

 

Will you pledge publicly to stop sourcing farmed salmon from seal-killing salmon farms?

 

 

 

"Put simply, retailers do not need to source Scottish salmon from seal-unfriendly farms," stated the letter.  "Nor do the public want to buy Scottish salmon sourced from such lethal farms.  An opinion poll by Metro in October 2015 reported that 87% of people are opposed to the killing of seals on salmon farms."

 

Read letter to retailers online here

 

 

"I am pleased to support those campaigning for an end to seal deaths," said Alison Johnstone, Member of the Scottish Parliament, who joined a protest outside M&S in Edinburgh in October 2015.  "People buying farmed salmon in Scotland will be appalled to learn that there is no requirement on salmon producers to have nets to deter seals.  If those making vast profits from salmon sales aren’t prepared to invest in this preventative measure, they cannot claim that shooting a seal is a last resort.  It is a lazy, greedy response that contradicts the image the producers and our supermarkets seek to promote and it has to stop."

 

[Protestors including Alison Johnstone MSP handing out leaflets outside M&S in Edinburgh: photo by Colin McPherson - download high res image online here]

 

 

Will retailers give seals are early Christmas present by pledging to introduce a cease-fire on salmon farms?

 

 

 

For more information please read GAAIA's "The Killing Farms"  

 

 

Download High Res images via:

 

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?"

"Farmed salmon: sealed with a kiss of death"

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals"

"M&S: Seal Killers"

"Scottish Seal Killers"

"The Scottish Seal Killers"

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers"

"RSPCA as the Royal $eal Culling Association"

"Salmon farming kills seals"

"Salmon farming: licensed to kill"

"Salmon farming is the smoking gun"

 

 

Read more via:

 "Scottish Salmon Blinded by Seal Killing" (29 November 2015)

"Seal killing slips through the net" (29 November 2015)

"RSPCA Assured Seal Killers!" (23 November 2015)

"M&S Caught in Cross-Fire Over Seal-Killing on Scottish Salmon Farms" (2 November 2015)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals - protest outside M&S in Edinburgh" (30 October 2015)

"Shetland Times: "Steps taken to reduce number of seals killed"" (25 October)

"Stop shooting seals for salmon meals!" (22 October 2015)

"RSPCA upsets people by saying seal shooting is OK" (11 October 2015)

"Did a seal die for your salmon meal?" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA attacked for its policy on seal shooting" (9 October 2015)

"RSPCA: Seals should be shot as an 'absolute last resort' to protect salmon" (9 October 2015)

"Seal Protection Action Group: Dependent seal pups are left to starve if their mothers are shot" (9 October 2015)

"Salmon farmers under fire for shooting seals" (8 October 2015)

"Seals in Shetland are getting into deep water with the salmon industry" (8 October 2015)

"Fury over seals shot dead at M&S salmon farms: Humane 'predator-proof' nets can be installed but are expensive" (5 September 2015)

"Shetland fish farms top seal shooting list" (3 September 2015)

"Mapped: every Scottish salmon farm that shot seals" (2 September 2015)

"UK retailers may face ‘zombie seal’ protests over farmed salmon" (2 September 2015)

"Marks & Spencer faces threat of 'zombie seal' protests over links to salmon farm with worst culling record" (1 September 2015)

"Anti-fish farm campaigners propose boycott to defend seals" (1 September 2015)

"M&S salmon supplier comes off worst as Scottish gov’t names seal shooting farmers" (31 August 2015)

"Seal shooting figures released after campaign by animal rights activists" (30 August 2015)

"Figures reveal salmon farms that shoot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Named and shamed: the Scottish salmon farms shooting seals" (30 August 2015)

"Data reveals third of Scots fish farms have shot seals" (30 August 2015)

"Cecil the Seal Killers Named & Shamed in Scotland - Call for Boycott of "Seal Unfriendly" Scottish Salmon" (30 August 2015)

"Media Splash for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms!" (8 July 2015)

"VICTORY: Disclosure of Seal-Killing Salmon Farm Data Ordered by 21 August" (7 July 2015)

"Landmark Rulings on Seal-Killing Salmon Farms - Scottish Information Commissioner to publish decisions this afternoon" (7 July 2015)

"D Day for Seal-Killing Salmon Farms" (6 July 2015)

"Mass seal slaughter as RSPCA opts to protect fish farms" (13 April 2015)

"Scottish Salmon's Secret Seal Killers! - FOI refusal prompts call for boycott of farmed salmon" (24 August 2014)