(This article has been amended from its original content. For further update on this topic; Read more here)
Plans by the Scottish Government to protect a huge colony of seals off the north-east coast they bask on have been criticised by locals.
Marine Scotland has launched a public consultation into declaring an area of the Ythan Estuary near Newburgh a designated seal “haul-out” zone.
A huge number of the sea mammals have been using the spot as a breeding location for the past ten years, and Marine Scotland argues the location could result in seal harassment and disturbance because it is easy to access.
However, locals have voiced concerns about what could be considered harassment at the popular coastal spots in Aberdeenshire.
The haul-out area would include sections of both the north and south banks of the Ythan Estuary, as well as an area of the Newburgh On Ythan Golf Club.
Much of the north bank of the Ythan Estuary is within the Forvie National Nature Reserve, which is protected by Scottish Natural Heritage.
Among those objecting to Marine Scotland’s plans are the Newburgh Angling Club and the golf club itself, who say the size of the haul-out zone is unnecessary.
Secretary of the Newburgh Angling Club, Ron Coutts, has proposed a smaller haul-out site than the one suggested by Marine Scotland.
He said: “If you want to find seals you go to the north side and the estuary inside the national nature reserve. The south bank is the main area where people walk.
“Let’s have a pragmatic approach. It just seems like a massive hammer to crack a little nut.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said the haul-out area would not stop the public from using the beach.
She added: “The consultation on possible designation of a seal haul-out site was launched on the 7th September 2015.
“The consultation seeks views on whether or not the proposed site should be designated, what potential risks of harassment of seals there are on the proposed site and whether or not there are sufficient grounds for considering designation before the appropriate period of five years and, if so, how quickly this should occur.
“The consultation is intended to explore concerns that some visitors coming to this site are approaching the seals too closely and collect evidence to inform future action. It is not intended to restrict access except where this directly impacts on the seal haul-out itself.
“A haul-out site is a location on land where seals come out of the water to rest, to moult to breed and to have pups. There are 194 designated seal haul-out sites across Scotland where it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harass seals whilst they are on land.
“Our consultation on whether to designate an additional seal haul-out site in the Ythan Estuary closes on 4 December 2015 and we would urge anyone with an interest to respond to the consultation.”
This is “different matter” from fishing debate
The members of the Newburgh Angling Club said the issue of designating a haul-out zone and of the impact the animals have on local fish populations were two separate issues.
Mr Coutts added: “Over the last few years we’ve seen an exponential growth in the number of seals there. You are talking about a rise from the tens to the 1,000s.
“They are predators, they move with the fish. They are having an impact on the estuary and the fishing.”
However he said this was a totally “different matter” to the issue at hand; adding he, his fellow fishermen and locals “love the seals” where they are.
He added: “If they decide to go somewhere else, let them go, but I am not going to harm them. I go down with my grandchildren, others go down with their kids, and they are never harassed.”
A haul-out zone for seals is a place where the animals drag themselves out of the sea to rest, moult, breed or have pups.
The Protection of Seals (designation of haul-out sites) (Scotland) order 2014 came into force on September 30 2014 and designated 194 spots across the country.