MINUTES OF THE 2
ND MEETING OF THE SEALS FORUM
THURSDAY 30
TH JANUARY 2003
Attendees
Scottish Executive Environment &Rural Affairs
Department (SEERAD)
Sea Mammal Research Unit, St Andrews
Scottish Natural
Heritage
Fisheries Research Services (FRS) - Freshwater
Laboratory
Fisheries Research Services (FRS) - Marine
Laboratory
Marine Biological Station,
Millport
Marine Conservation
Society
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
WWF - Scotland
Scottish SPCA
(SSPCA)
The Atlantic Salmon
Trust
Association of Salmon Fishery Boards (ASFBs)
Spey Fishery
Board
Salmon and Trout Association ( Scotland )
Tourism and Environment
Forum
Introductions
The Chair introduced herself and welcomed everybody
to the second meeting of the Working Group, particularly
the new Branch Head for the Marine Protection Team
(SEERAD).
Minutes of the last meeting
A slight amendment was made to Paragraph 10 with the
removal of the word 'otoliths.' All participants
agreed the minutes of the last meeting.
Terms of Reference & draft Work
programme
Papers SSWG 04 were circulated prior to the meeting
with only two minor wording changes and agreed without
comment.
The Group agreed that the Work Programme would not be
finalised at this time, but would be informed by the
outcome of the workshop discussions.
Future Operations
Paper SSWG 05 was based on discussions at the
previous meeting. It was considered that the
Working Group would function more effectively by delivering
the work programme through two small sub-groups: Research
and Management respectively.
These sub-groups would facilitate progress
on specific issues and allow for further work to be tackled
in a more focused manner.
It was proposed that the sub-groups would
comprise of
6 to 8 representatives, with members of the Working Group
encouraged to offer themselves (or other members of the
Group) for one or both groups. Final selection to
be made to SEERAD.
ACTION: Participants interested in taking part in
the sub-groups should put themselves forward to SEERAD for
nomination.
SCOS Presentation
Under the Conservation of Seals Act 1970, the Natural
Environment Research Council (NERC) has a duty to provide
scientific advice to government on matters related to the
management of seal populations. NERC has appointed the
Special Committee on Seals (SCOS) to formulate this
advice. This advice is given annually based on the
latest scientific information provided by the Sea Mammal
Research Unit (SMRU).
The group were given a brief presentation
based on the latest advice.
The SCOS 2002 Report can be accessed on the
SE and SMRU website.
The report also addressed specific questions raised
by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs
Department (SEERAD) in response to ongoing issues and
concerns. It was agreed that the Working Group
would be involved in drafting questions for submission to
SCOS in June 2003.
ACTION: Suggestions for possible questions by the
next meeting.
Workshops and Plenary Session
Following the workshop discussions (please refer
to the attached papers for information), it was felt
that the main issues for future consideration would
be:
Identification of conflicts between seals
and human activities;
Current limitations in science and future
options;
Legal frameworks relating to the
protection and management of seals; and
Prioritisation of actions to be
taken
It was felt that there would be a benefit in
establishing a Steering Group that would identify the main
conflicts and questions that need to be addressed by the
two sub-groups.
The Steering Group would meet up prior to the next
meeting to identify possible questions and conflicts for
future discussions. The Steering Group will consist
of 6-8 members.
ACTION: Participants interested in joining
the Steering Group should inform Ricky Verrall, Marine
Protection Team (SEERAD) by 7 February.
The two sub-groups would be set up in the wake of the
Steering Group meeting. They would seek to
co-ordinate their work and inform each others progress
through the Working Group.
A.O.B
Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) - The current Phocine Distemper Virus (PDV) outbreak
has had a limited effect on the Scottish seal population
with approximately half of the 863 dead seals washed up,
attributed to the Phocine Distemper Virus. However,
scientists have not yet ruled out the possibility of a
re-emergance of PDV in early summer when seal populations
haul out for the breeding season.
Conservation of Seals ( Scotland ) Order 2002 - The Conservation of Seals
Order 2002 was put in place on 4 September 2002 , with a commitment made by Scottish Ministers to
review its status if circumstances changed. Since
the results of the next seal survey will not be available
until late 2003, it is unlikely that the Order will be
reviewed before this time.
However, SMRU/SCOS will try to produce an
interim report in September 2003 on the effects of PDV.
Habitats Directive - There is a proposal at the UK level to amend legislation, to ensure compliance with
the Habitats Directive. Draft legislation will be
issued for consultation in March 2003.
Next meeting
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 7 May 2003 at 10.30am . Venue to be confirmed.
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