Motion · S4M-12837 · 26 Mar 2015
Scottish Oceans Institute's Work on Seal Deaths and Population Decline
The motion
That the Parliament notes what it considers to be the impressive work of the Scottish Oceans Institute (SOI), which is based at the University of St Andrews; understands that its mission is to “bring together the people, interdisciplinary skills and supporting scientific services necessary to deliver world class research in marine sciences”; praises what it believes to be the assiduous work into marine mammal research, particularly in relation to unexplained seal deaths and harbour seal decline; notes that recent publications have posited a new theory suggesting that grey seal predation is the cause of “corkscrew deaths” but that no definitive answer has yet been found to explain why seal numbers on Scotland’s coasts are declining so rapidly; commends the efforts of the staff and students at the SOI for their ongoing work; notes proposals for a brand new building to accommodate the institute, and looks forward to further publications that may help to halt, and reverse, seal population decline.
Supporters (16)
- Clare Adamson Scottish National Party 31 Mar 2015
- Bruce Crawford 31 Mar 2015
- Colin Beattie Scottish National Party 1 Apr 2015
- Chic Brodie 1 Apr 2015
- Kenneth Gibson No Party Affiliation 1 Apr 2015
- Rob Gibson 1 Apr 2015
- Richard Lyle 1 Apr 2015
- Hanzala Malik 1 Apr 2015
- Joan McAlpine 1 Apr 2015
- Liam McArthur Scottish Liberal Democrats 1 Apr 2015
- Christina McKelvie 1 Apr 2015
- Kevin Stewart 1 Apr 2015
- David Torrance Scottish National Party 1 Apr 2015
- Dennis Robertson 2 Apr 2015
- Gil Paterson 10 Apr 2015
- Sandra White 21 Apr 2015
Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.