St Mary's

[topbanana]

Had a drive down with the family yesterday and was immediately confronted with the seal huggers trying Shepard people around the rocks. As much as tried to bite my tongue, I just couldn't do it. So after them stopping my little boy from going about his business, I decided to challange their actions, not only with the general public but sea anglers as well.

I pointed out that taking pictures/videos of people and putting them social media sites was out of order. They all tried to justify themselves and said they were making an example. I asked them what or who they were making an example of because as far as I could see they were making an example of people doing nothing wrong. They then said it was to monitor disturbance, to which I pointed out that boat loads of people as they do at seahouses is much more of a disturbance then a few people having a walk about or fishing. The bloke amongst them was getting more irritated with me lol.

I made a point of telling them that as much as they thought they had authority, they simply did not and that they would not be stopping me or my family having a stroll around the island as we've always done.

I would like to say that during this discussion, I did not raise my voice nor swear, I merely pointed out that their actions, although they mean well to a degree, were not in good taste, nor would they be tolerated by the vast majority.

Out of curiosity, they tried to tell me they were within their right putting up pictures and videos ? I'm sure someone on here questioned the police and it wasn't ?

[broon shoe]

It happened to me and my family a last month the way they were going on was pathetic stopping everybody from going down on to the rocks behind the lighthouse because of one seal pup which was on a little outcrop no where near anyone the impression we got was they were just full of there own self importance trying to big and clever if I had been on the island fishing I would have told them where to go

[kayos]

It's the volunteers that should be culled quite frankly!

Having said that, it is not unlawful to take pictures/videos of adults in a public place, however it absolutely is unlawful to do so with children.

Even as an adult, if you see these people taking pictures/videos of you, ask them for their name and address and what they intend to do with the images, (If they refuse to give you their details, call the police.)

Inform them if they put said images up on social media or any public forum, without your express permission you will take action against them, because that, while not a crime, does violate your privacy and you can sue them.

These people need to be challenged until they stop.

[lingking]

It's the volunteers that should be culled quite frankly!

Having said that, it is not unlawful to take pictures/videos of adults in a public place, however it absolutely is unlawful to do so with children.

Even as an adult, if you see these people taking pictures/videos of you, ask them for their name and address and what they intend to do with the images, (If they refuse to give you their details, call the police.)

Inform them if they put said images up on social media or any public forum, without your express permission you will take action against them, because that, while not a crime, does violate your privacy and you can sue them.

These people need to be challenged until they stop.

nice informative post mark theres nothing worse than "self appointed" supporters of any cause.i generally find they are short on real facts/info relating to their chosen cause--rent a crowd comes to mind

[Phil83]

Good on ya mate, it's there for everyone to enjoy responsibly.

[magpies]

If they are taking pictures of kids they could get in real bother mind. Be a pain for them if someone reported them................

[david.northeast]

Well within your rights Nicky. The island doesn't belong to people looking at seals. It is entirely up to you as to where you take your family. Unless there is signs saying you can't walk there then keep doing so. As for photos correct anybody can be filmed/photographed but not children that is as mark pointed out against the law. I would also ask for names and adresses. If they don't comprehend or delete as you wish then call the police.
Don't let anybody spoil it for you you go where you please

[bandit]

Just take a couple of photo's of them and when they ask what your doing tell them it's evidence to show the police when you go to the police to report strange looking perverts taking photo's of your children

[AleMarvaldi]

Fully agree. If someone takes a picture of me and post online? I would do the same. If of my 2yrs old daughter? Hell no way!!

Out of curiosity- how incredibly irritated should they be when I fish the rocks around the island with my kayak? I got good Pollocks and won't stop unless the area is turned into a marine reserve (for I which I would fight against for sure)

[AleMarvaldi]

Btw seals can be cute, but are very far from being at risk of extinction!!!

[Bushwhacker]

Btw seals can be cute, but are very far from being at risk of extinction!!!

Aye!,theres only an estimated 250,000 around our shores.
We have the highest population of Grey seals in the world.

[dabcatcher]

it wont be long before they try to stop people walking the piers because theres a seal pup on the steps.

[Juliogeordio]

With such a population boom the great whites will be here soon enough to feed on them....

[Stewart 1971]

With such a population boom the great whites will be here soon enough to feed on them....

Or the Killer Whales

[Stewart 1971]