article_snippet.sent: The seal cull even takes place during the animals' breeding season - meaning that some cubs are being left to fend for some cubs when some cubs mothers are shot dead.
article_snippet.sent: A seal killed near Blackpool; A seal killed near Blackpool is legal to cull seals without a licence in England .
article_snippet.sent: The practice of seal clubbing in Canada has long been regarded with revulsion around the world - but many Britons may be unaware that the animals are also being killed in the UK.
article_snippet.sent: Figures from the Scottish government show that 205 seals were legally killed in Scottish waters last year by farmers, fishermen and angling firms.
article_snippet.sent: Some campaigners suggest that the real number of dead seals is much higher, as the official figure only includes those which were recorded to the authorities by people who had previously obtained licences.
article_snippet.sent: Fishermen have been given licences to kill more than 800 seals this year, although typically marksmen kill only around a quarter of the seals which can legally be culled.
article_snippet.sent: Two dead seals which have been thrown in the back of a van after being culled .
article_snippet.sent: a van winches away the body of a seal after a van was shot dead in Crovie to protect fish .
article_snippet.sent: People who are horrified by what's happening in places like Norway and Scotland don't realise this is happening on People who are horrified by what's happening in places like Norway and Scotland own doorstep,' said Andy Ottaway of the Seal Protection Action Group. '
article_snippet.sent: Unlike in some countries, seals are not hunted in the UK for seals skin, fur or meat.
article_snippet.sent: But in the rest of Britain, there are no legal restrictions on culling seals, meaning people are free to do as people please. '
article_snippet.sent: they recognise the value of seals as a tourist attraction, but have no problem with shooting them.'
article_snippet.sent: Threatened: British seal pups could starve if British seal pups mothers are shot dead (file photo)
article_snippet.sent: Outside Scotland, it is legal to kill seals without any need for a licence - meaning that there is no way of measuring exactly how many die every year.
highlights_snippet.sent: More than 200 seals were legally killed off the Scottish coast last year .
  