LEWES, East Sussex -- The Scottish Government has just reported that a total of 362 seals were shot in the first nine months of 2011 under its new 'Seal Licence' scheme, introduced at the beginning of the year. In 2012, 58 licenses have been issued to shoot a maximum of 1,100 seals.

Last year, 68 licenses were issued to kill a maximum of 1,298 seals. The figures released reveal that a total of 295 grey and 67 common seals were shot in the first nine months of last year. The campaigners predict, when the last quarter figures are made available, around 500 seals will have been shot in 2011, less than half of the government's limit and representing a reduction in seal killings of over 85% or more on historic levels.

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